Loving-Kindness: A True Story

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
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HE WAS such a thin-faced little fellow, the first day he arrived at the Children’s Home. So sad and hungry did he look that the Matron remarked to his teacher, “It’s the poorest case we’ve ever had!
“I’m sure the boy is hungry, so the first thing we’ll do is to give him some bread and butter. And,” she added, “we’ll put some jam on it too.”
Oh how Tim’s dark eyes brightened as he eagerly ate up the bread and jam, and drank the milk they kindly gave him.
In reading class at school that day one of the words the children had to spell was “loving-kindness.” “Who can tell us what ‘loving-kindness’ means,” asked the teacher.
“I know,” answered Tim quickly. " ‘Kindness’ means bread and butter, and ‘loving’—-well, that means the jam.”
We find the word “lovingkindness” often when reading the Scriptures, for the Holy Spirit delights to dwell on the loving-kindness of God. It tells of the grace Gods of claims now in the gospel. It is that which He has shown toward guilty sinners like us. We did not merit or deserve it. But God has found us a way whereby He could show His loving-kindness towards us, and that was through His beloved Son who gave Himself upon the cross to put away sin.
God can now bless, poor sinners but it is only in and through Christ Jesus. Not only does He save us who believe, but He showers us with blessings all along this pilgrim way. When we get home to heaven, we will experience His loving-kindness forever.
“That in the ages to come might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:77That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31:33The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3).
And king David could say, “The Lord will command His loving, kindness in the daytime; and in the night His song shall be with me.” Psa. 42:88Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8).
ML-10/17/1971