And to godliness, brotherly kindness

2 Peter 1:7 “and to godliness, brotherly kindness,”

            Lord, I reverence You today.  A day set apart to worship and adore You, to gather with other Christians for fellowship, teaching, and lifting praise to You.

            Adding brotherly kindness does not seem like so great a request…but oh, how we need to be reminded of that when I come in contact with a brother or sister who needs LOTS of grace!  Then it becomes an act of willful obedience and a sacrifice of praise to You.
            What might “brotherly kindness” look like in my life, Lord?  I believe it would be serving someone who has not asked for service, coming alongside a hurting one to pray for and encourage them, sending a small note or gift to someone who is struggling in some way, or is might be something unseen by anyone like picking up paper towels or shreds of toilet paper off the floor in a public restroom so the folks who have to clean them several times a day don’t have to.  Or maybe something as simple as saying thank you to someone who is serving me and letting them know how much I really appreciate their service, or volunteering to take care of someone’s pet while they are away for a weekend.
            Maybe as a parent or grandparent it means bending down to tie a little one’s shoe even though they are old enough to do it themselves, or giving them a hug or praying with them before they go out into the “world” of school (Christian or not).  Maybe it is giving a treat just because of grace. 
            Lord you give me so many opportunities to be kind to those brothers and sisters you have placed around me.  May I never be too busy, to blind to one’s need, or consider myself above showing brotherly kindness to even one of them.