He who withholds kindness

      from a friend

forsakes the fear

            of the Almighty.

            Job 6. 14

(God has placed many people

       on our paths,

   right in front of us

to love them and

            show them grace,

those who are lovable

   and those who are

                 impossible.

We can always be kind.

How can we approach

       this relationship,

       this need,

       this person

                  differently

    because we love Jesus?)

O LORD,

Fill us with Your Spirit,

Your love,

Your grace and strength,

Your vision,

  that we may love those

  You have placed

         alongside us.

Make us not just aware of them,

   but responsive to them.

Help us to bring

       the love of Jesus

  into this situation.

Show us how

     to be kind

   in unexpected ways

and mean it.