?

One bag of brown rice,

A torch and a portion of fish pie,

A book, a jigsaw, 15 chocolate bunnies,

1 cauliflower, 3 tangerines, a bag of tomatoes,

5 novels

You might be thinking this is a new take on the 12 days of Christmas. but in fact it's a list of items that have been brought to my door by folks who are wanting to make sure I have all I need to see me through days of lockdown.

All of these gifts as well as many phone calls, texts, emails, from family and friends, have been most welcome, and I have been very grateful for all the kindness shown.

As I look on- line, and see reports from the news, I can see that that act of kindness are happening everyday in both large and small ways.

A smile, a wave a rainbow in a window, a round of applause for the NHS, shopping for the elderly, patience with our families........................you can add your won thoughts to this list.

We have models from scripture too.

Jesus exemplified kindness partly through generosity of spirit. He was gracious, thoughtful and long-suffering. He saw people who were not seen by anybody else. Jesus gave of himself over and over and over again.

Paul has this to say to us,

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Once we recognize God’s kindness to us, Paul suggests we clothe ourselves in it. Just as getting dressed takes time and attention, making sure kindness is at the forefront of our lives and actions takes time and attention too.

Being in lockdown means we have to be much more creative in the way we do things, and how we show kindness is no different.

What can we do today, to show kindness to others from our own wee space.

God bless you this new day