Luke 6:27-36
Relationships produce all kinds of emotions: joy, warmth, frustration, and heartache. And it’s in the turbulent seasons of a relationship that crucial steps need to be taken to rebuild and restore.
However, in seasons of conflict, our default mode can easily become “waiting.” In a marriage, she’s waiting for him to change before she takes a step to restore their marriage. A teenager is waiting for his parent to give in before he stops the silent treatment. We build conditions into our love—“if they apologize” or “when they change,” I’ll give them my love.
Jesus has a drastically different teaching, “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6.27-28).
Kindness has the power to rebuild relationships because it doesn’t wait for anyone else. True kindness has no conditions, and it doesn’t wait for “if” and “when.”
If there’s someone you’ve been waiting on before showing them kindness and love, start moving again today. Show them kindness, even when it’s undeserved. Maybe send a text message or simply offer them a kind word. Allow your kindness to be the first step in rebuilding a broken relationship, just as God’s kindness in sending Jesus rebuilt our relationship with him.