Letters From Grandpa #262

LETTERS FROM GRANDPA # 262

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will deal with “kindness”. This subject, like good manners, is so basic and simple that it can be easily overlooked. Just as it is proper to say “please” and “thank you”, it is also proper to be “kind”. Jesus was kind, and those who follow Him must also be kind.

Kindness is produced by the Holy Spirit. Note that the “fruit of the Spirit” is manifest in at least these nine different ways: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control” (Gal. 5:22). Note that the word “fruit” is singular. The Bible does not say the “fruits of the Spirit are”, but the “fruit of the Spirit is”. Like a beam of light passing through a prism becomes all the colors of the rainbow, so also the One Holy Spirit manifests Himself in our lives in a variety of wonderful ways.

Kindness is the key to many good things.

Peter and John healed a crippled man in an act of kindness (Acts 4:9).

God has shown His kindness by giving us rain, crops, and plenty of food (Acts 14:17).

A Roman Centurion was kind to Paul in allowing him to visit his friends (Acts 27:3).

The natives of Malta were kind to Paul and the other victims of a shipwreck (Acts 28:2). Paul reminded the Corinthians that “Love is kind” (1 Cor. 13:4).

Paul was known in Corinth for his patience, kindness, and sincere love (2 Cor. 6:6).

We are to be “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32).

We are also to be clothed in kindness (Col. 3:12).

m= Among many things we are to add to our faith, is brotherly kindness and love (2 Pet. 1:5-7).

Our little family of six once lived in Tulsa at 207 N. Tacoma. A simple Google search reveals that the house was built in 1920, contains 1350 sq. ft., and has a single bathroom. Charles Lamb lived in a similar house not far away on Rosedale St. (the streets are in alphabetical order, Rosedale, Santa Fe, Tacoma, Union, etc). Mr. Lamb was retired and like everyone else in the neighborhood didn’t have much money. Yet, out of his meager retirement income he started a “Kindness Club”. All you had to do to be a member was sign a registration book and promise to be kind. Any child could knock on Mr. Lamb’s door and report an act of kindness. The reward for doing so was a piece of candy. When Granny and I were dating I took her to meet Mr. Lamb and she too joined the Kindness Club. At the time of Mr. Lamb’s passing I am told that there were over 5,000 members and the Kindness Club registration book was put on display at the Gilcrease Museum.

Being kind does not make you a Christian, but being a Christian does make you kind!

Jacob DeShazer was one of the Dolittle Raiders who was shot down and captured by the Japanese. He spent 40 months in captivity, 34 of which were in solitary confinement. He was starved, beaten, and tortured. Three of his fellow crew members were executed by a firing squad and another died of starvation. Jacob’s hatred for the Japanese defined his life until he gave his heart to Jesus Christ. One of the first manifestations of his conversion was his desire to be kind to his guards. He became genuinely interested in their families and the difficulties they were facing. After the war DeShazer returned to Japan as a missionary and spent the next 30 years of his life demonstrating to everyone the kindness of Christ. He even became personal friends with Mitsua Fuchida who led the surprise raid on

Pearl Harbor. Remarkably, these two converts to Christ worked together to preach the Gospel and tell the world about the transforming power of Jesus.

Andrew and Betty Patton were missionaries to Japan for over 40 years and were personal friends with the DeShazers. When the Pattons retired they settled in Carl Junction and became a part of our congregation. Andrew passed away several years ago and Betty is now confined to her home.

The Scriptures tell us: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:2). Since we have no way of knowing in advance whom God is sending our way, the safest course of action is to be kind to everyone.

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce