As God's chosen people . . . clothe yourselves with compassion land] kindness. Colossians 3:12, NIV

Kindness sees me (David) as Teresa's servant. Today's verse refers to this kindness when it tells me to wrap myself in compassion and kindness. This means I am to "wear" kindness as I go about my day. It is to be a part of all my interactions, conversations, and attitudes.

That didn't sound very appealing to me as a teenage husband. If I was pleasant, it wasn't from serving. And if I had to serve, I sure wasn't pleasant about it. But several years into our marriage, God began to "tenderize" my heart.

God showed me His great kindness through a janitor at the local church. The Lord had begun to draw Teresa back to church, but I was a reluctant attendee. I hadn't been impressed with many of my church experiences, so I walked into church one day and sat in the back row, looking for the other "rebels": Instead, I met Paul that day.

Paul was the janitor for this small local church, and he befriended me immediately. His cordial nature and caring manner attracted me right away. I just liked being around this kindhearted man. I went with him as he did maintenance repairs just so I could be around him. Paul demonstrated the truest picture of a Christian I had seen to that point. He lived out Christ's kindness before me. Because of Paul, I gave my life to Christ.

It's no small miracle that caring for Teresa as I should now seems natural rather than forced. Showing her kindness and serving her is a joy to me, not a burden.

All because God showed me a picture of kindness.

Father, wrap me in Your kindness so that I might show the same to my spouse.