Kindness Is Behind All Acts of Service by Linda Greason

He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify
for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Titus 2:14

Several years ago, I needed to hire a school counselor for my elementary school. A veteran special education teacher, Liz, felt that her calling in education had changed, and so she applied for the position at my school. It was mid-year, which was tricky for changing positions, but her reputation was so stellar the district simply wouldn’t ignore her request.

She quickly adapted to her new role and built her lessons and activities with students on the concept of being kind to others. Liz integrated kindness into every lesson or teachable moment possible. In addition, she developed opportunities of service for our kindergarten through fifth grade-students, with the premise that kindness was behind all acts of service. Our students jumped at the chance to serve.

Contests for bringing the most canned goods for food drives, supporting others with hats, socks, and gloves, and pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House charities were just a few of the causes she championed for our students’ participation. The pop tab drive became infamous for the competition it generated not only among the students but their parents as well. A flight attendant parent saved pounds of pop tabs from her flights, another mother (humorously) sent in a picture of herself dumpster diving for pop tabs, and other students contacted family members asking them to save all tabs. These stories are a few of the ways the service opportunities taught our students that good deeds are a direct result of kindness and ultimately taught them to spread the joy of giving.

The scripture passage for today urges us to be “zealous for good deeds.” And while Christmas is a particularly significant time for gift giving, it is certainly not the only time of the year we should consider Titus’ challenge. As we look ahead to a new year, can we find ourselves serving others in ways that reveal our kind nature? Can we become zealous for a good work? And can our energy in pursuit of good deeds be extended beyond ourselves? Maybe 2025 could be a good year to become zealous for good deeds.

LINDA GREASON