Want to exercise kindness and see it change the atmosphere.... go to Walmart! The other day I walked into Walmart and within minutes I heard a mother scheming at her kids, a couple fussing at each other and a baby crying. I wondered if I wanted to stay! Then I heard the Lord say, "Change the atmosphere! Release kindness"! I began to get excited!

I have been practicing walking in His presence and abiding in His love. Jesus said that it's available to us if we keep His commandments...then tells us what it is...to love one another! It's letting Him love through us! How cool is that! We're His body...His hands and feet on this Earth. We just need to yield to Him and let Him flow through us.

I started talking to the baby and with everything inside me (silently) pulling on His love and releasing it to him. He started smiling and cooing, and the mother calmed down. A family that was irritated and curt with each other, as I stood there like I was shopping I started to pray silently for them, again pulling on His love and releasing His peace to the situation, I saw them calm down. Oh, this is fun! 

Next, I felt led to the clerks who were overwhelmed and hurried. I began to affirm them and the fine job they were doing in the produce and electronic departments...they took a deep breath and relaxed. One kept thanking me, the other blessed me!

I said, "Lord what do you want to do next?" I smiled and helped a Mexican family that had trouble with English.  (It's amazing what a warm smile will do!) The lady from India in her beautiful sari I chatted with and blessed. One gray haired lady kept running into me in different aisles, to the point it became comical. I laughed and accused her of just being after a blessing...and she agreed. By the time I left the store, we were hugging! I don't know when she had a hug last!

One time, two other widows and I went to a restaurant and encouraged the young man who was our waiter. We affirmed him and the gifts the Lord had put inside him. We watched God pull him back on track and into His love.

Letting someone go before you in line, giving them the better parking spot, paying for someone's order behind you in the drive through, or for their groceries are such acts that allow Him to love through us!  It's laying down our life for another!

John 15:9-14 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." NKJV

When we give kindness with love, it's translated as "goodness".  Join us Tuesday at Anna's Gate or by Internet on my Facebook page (CarolMarie Smith) to hear the teaching building on this concept.  The notes for Tuesday's teaching can be found in my blog at www.DrCarolMarie.com  Let's grow together in the Fruit of the Spirit!