This month as I delve into the idea of Kindness, I am drawn to the story of David. For him, kindness wasn’t just a compassionate act, but a legacy for generations…
“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” (2 Samuel 9:7)
I’ve always been drawn to the story of David. Maybe it’s because he is so passionately for God, yet so absolutely imperfect and human. He’s like a picture of who we attain to be all wrapped up in the mistakes we already make.
Before David became king, he was a man on the run. Saved by the kindness and love of his best friend, Jonathan (and son of King Saul), David was hunted for years before the king died and David took his rightful place as God’s chosen leader for the people.
But during the final battle that cost the king his life, Jonathan died as well. And David mourned them both.
I don’t know about you, but I think once it was all over, I would want to move on. Put it behind me. Not dwell on how sideways things had gone because the king had lost his mind with jealousy when God named me as his successor.
But David didn’t do that. David looked for a way to continue the legacy of kindness that Jonathan had shown him.
Making kindness a legacy, not just an act
We always talk about “acts of kindness,” random or otherwise. We hear about these small spots of light where people do the right thing as though it is a surprise they are doing it. Does that make anyone else a little sad?
Kindness shouldn’t just be an act performed once in a while. It shouldn’t be something that starts and ends with us. Kindness should be a legacy, passing from person to person, generation to generation.
But how can we do that?
For David, he sought out someone in the family of Saul who he could show kindness to. It turned out to be Jonathan’s last living son, Mephibosheth, who was lame. At that time, a lame person would never have gotten the king’s notice, or most anyone’s.
But David honored him with the kindness of his grandfather’s land, servants, and a place at the king’s table. Always.
David didn’t do this out of guilt. Or pity. Or just as payback for Jonathan’s friendship. I think that he did this so Jonathan’s kindness would not die with him. That kindness that saved David’s life passed to Mephibosheth, and maybe saved his life.
How can we pass the kindness and compassion we’ve received on to others?
Maybe it means donating time and money to a food bank that once fed your family. Maybe it’s teaching our children how to be kind the way our parents taught us. Or it’s loving our friend’s children as much as we love our friend.
Leaving a legacy of kindness takes more than just a single act. It requires a commitment. A commitment to kindness. That kind of kindness will branch out into a legacy worth leaving to the future generations.
Have a blessed Monday!
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