Our journey through 1 Corinthians 13 continues this Sunday with an exploration of the phrase “Love is kind.”The lesson of kindness is one that we learned as children, but is one that we tend to ignore today. But even simple acts of kindness can make a big difference, for both the giver and the recipient.

According to the Mayo Clinic, an act of kindness can lower your cortisol level and decrease your blood pressure. It can also enhance the release of serotonin and dopamine in your brain, improve your disposition and increasing your feelings of well-being. 

Acts of kindness can be as simple as giving people an unsolicited compliment or word of encouragement. This past week I read about a woman in Philadelphia named Celine McGee who walks around the city giving compliments to strangers. 

She calls herself “The Compliment Squad,” and the idea came when her family had a yard sale. To draw attention to their home, they put signs up around the neighborhood advertising free compliments for people who stopped by. As people visited throughout the day, she discovered the power of kindness. So, today, she walks around Philadelphia, giving out compliments and handing out little cards that encourage people to respond by spreading kindness to someone else.

How about you? As we continue our 50-Day Encounter, what is something you can do to spread kindness to people?

Due to a delay in receiving the books for sale and distribution, we are postponing the start of my congregation-wide study of “Unrelenting Grace” by Bishop Ken Carter. The dates will now be Sundays (May 21 and 28) and Wednesdays (May 24 and 31). Find out more and sign up