“God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” Romans 2:4
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” -Mother Teresa
- Be still and know that He is God. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to stop and be still. Sit down in your prayer closet with your Bible, journal, a pen, and your favorite tea or coffee. Listen for God to speak to you during this time.
- Read Colossians 3:12-14. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate His Word deep in your heart. In your journal, list the character traits that we should have as God’s chosen, holy, beloved ones.
God’s Kindness Transforms a Heart
What is so exciting about kindness? It can sound cliché and mundane. Random acts of kindness and niceness. Nice guys always finish last. Is it even important to be kind in this world anymore?
What is kindness anyway? Oxford Dictionary defines kindness as affection, friendliness, concern, consideration, and generosity. In the Bible, Romans 2:4 tells us that it is God’s kindness which leads us to repentance. God shows us His “affection, friendliness, concern, consideration, and generosity” because he wants our hearts to turn toward Him.
In trying to motivate yourself toward loving God more, do you sit down and solemnly recall all of God’s laws and commandments? No! Is it His rules that move your heart? No!
More often, we remember the kind and loving things God has done for us, and it softens our heart to Him. It really is His kindness that leads us to repentance.
Here’s the truth: kindness is exciting! It’s the way God transforms our hearts. What’s even more exciting: we have this example from our Heavenly Father to emulate as we parent our earthly children!
It doesn’t mean being overly lenient to be perceived as kind. It is important to note that God requires children to obey parents, according to Ephesians 6:1; children need limits, guidelines, and loving discipleship from parents.
Also important to note, is that God’s kingdom is about love and relationship. In John 3:16, God gave up His only Son because He loved us. According to Jesus in Luke 10:27, loving God and loving others well is God’s greatest commandment.
A loving relationship, not rules, is God’s priority.
Yet, early on as a mom, I valued compliance in my children. If I’m honest, I was simply exhausted and desperate for peace in my home. I was focused on rules, and I was only sort of kind.
One of my boys would misbehave, so I would discipline him. As he got older, he was able to articulate the reason for his disobedience: he wanted me to show him kindness. He would say, “I need more love.” This breaks my heart now because my response then was anger and punishment. All he needed was kindness from his mom. My kindness had the power to transform and soften his little heart.
Following in the footsteps of our own Romans 2:4 relationship with our Heavenly Father, when our children misbehave, our parental love and kindness can cultivate a genuine softness of heart and repentance in them. As children grow older and leave our care, this model of kindness will train them for a loving relationship with their Heavenly Father.
A daily prayer for myself and other moms is that I follow God by showing kindness to my children in my affection, friendliness, concern, consideration, and generosity toward them. He models that so perfectly toward me.
Oh, Heavenly Father, may we follow Your example! Holy Spirit, fill us with Your fruit of kindness.
Questions to Ponder
- Examine your motherhood carefully- how often would your children say you show kindness to them?
- Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit being present in your life. What are some ways you can let Him bring more kindness into your life?
Faith-Filled Idea
- What one thing can you add to your day to show kindness and draw your child’s heart to you in love & repentance? Here are some ideas:
-Is it looking into their eyes when they talk?
-Is it stopping when they enter the room?
-Is it smiling at them?
-Or is it serving them & lovingly explaining that you serve them because you love them? - Whatever it may be, decide on that one new thing and commit to daily showing your children your kindness toward them.
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13 Comments on “God’s Kindness Transforms a Heart”
Approaching discipline by way of kindness rather than simply punishing for not following the rules makes me think about how Jesus encourages grace and kindness instead of being bound by the law. Thank you for your thoughts, Kristi!
Thank you Ellie! You are so right. He is all about relationship, not the law.
I have greatly enjoyed all of the lessons in kindness. It has opened my eyes to all the ways that I can choose to respond in kindness rather than anger. “Kindness begets kindness”. This is so true and I can see this with my children. Love is kind…kindness is one way we express love to others. I loved this study and it really had an impact on me. Thanks to all of you that contributed!
Love that quote, Karen. Kindness begets kindness. It is so true. It softens hearts! Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. I’m glad the study was edifying for you. It was for me too!
Thank you so much for sharing your story of discipline. Your openness reminds me that we all fail as parents. It’s God’s kindness toward US that leads us to repentance in our role as parents. We can’t do it without Christ!
Beautifully said, Daphne! Thank you!
Kristi, This study has made me think SOO much about the importance of a mom being kind to her children. Kindness truly transforms a heart. I am so thankful for your wisdom and encouragement to be kind. We can all use the admonition. I am so grateful for you!
Thank you Deb! You are so right. This is my prayer daily: that I would love my children well. Kindness is so important!
What a great devotional Kristi. This is an important reminder and I love that you wrote it is your prayer daily to show kindness to your boys. I really like how you said this, “when our children misbehave, our parental love and kindness can cultivate a genuine softness of heart and repentance in them.” That is huge! Our children want to obey us! They really do. It is often our harsh attitudes that prevent them from doing so. Thanks friend! 🙂
Thanks Rachel! Kindness is so important in my parenting. I totally have a better connection with my children when I’m kind to them. I think they perceive my kindness as a gesture of how much I love them. <3 That's a big deal! 🙂
I love how you use Romans 2:4! I never thought about kindness as a means of leading my children to repentance. It does work though. That’s something I’ll need to think about and see where it applies to my parenting.
Totally agree Heather! Our kindess can lead our children to repentence. That is such a beautiful thing. 🙂
Hi Heather! At the end of the day, I never regret having chosen kindness over anger as a response. 🙂 I’d love to hear how it goes!