Today’s Blog: Are You Kindhearted?
TODAY’S PROVERB: A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Proverbs 11:16, TLV
Ah, to be a kindhearted woman. When I grow up, I want to be kindhearted. It’s a great ambition, don’t you think? Who doesn’t want to gain honor. Ironically, the kindhearted person generally eschews attention because it distracts from their goal — serving others.
The kindhearted woman is the very definition of graciousness. So, what does a gracious person do? At one time, being gracious meant being godly. Working to emulate what the Bible says is godly.
In today’s world, we’ve lost the heart and foundation of that definition. We’ve wimped out by saying someone is gracious because they’re courteous, kind, and pleasant. Which isn’t a bad thing.
A gracious woman and man
When I think of a gracious woman, I think of someone who gathers others to their home. It’s a safe place where food, laughter, prayer, and fellowship abounds. She’s generous and thoughtful. Graciousness resides in the heart, but it is exercised in the home.
Does this proverb mean that men can’t be gracious and kindhearted? Of course not. Men can be gracious, too. In fact, one of the most kindhearted and gracious person I know is my husband. His heart of service and hospitality is what I seek to emulate.
What are the ways we can live a gracious life?
I think it begins with gratitude. Gratitude toward our Heavenly Father, gratitude for all that His Son did for us, and gratitude that we can live a life abundant with wisdom, knowledge, discernment, and understanding.
From there, that gratitude will flow into how we look at the world and the life He’s given us. To live according to His rhythm and pace, and not the world’s. Even if we’re considered quaint and irrelevant, we will be real and what GOD has called us to be.
As we live out these days in various stages of isolation, we have to be creative in living graciously. Let’s challenge ourselves to do that. See what exciting ways the LORD has for us to live graciously.
May we live graciously, my friends.
Proverbs 11:16 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
