Try it — you’ll like it
February 2, 2009 (Tuesday)
About a year ago, the public found out that Peyton Manning is a letter writer of a special kind. He writes handwritten letters to people who retire from career sports. His reputation as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play football gives a quality to his kind notes that makes them deeply appreciated by those who have received them.*
When the Apostle Paul listed the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, “Kindness” was mentioned.
Being kind to people costs you nothing and allows you to reap a rich reward in the process. Opportunities to be kind to others are offered us every day. Many times the impulse to do a kind deed or say a kind word is stifled by us because of our timidity or unwillingness. It’s time for all of us to join those who have found great joy in being kind to others.
In all probability, Peyton Manning did not intend for his letters of appreciation and congratulation to become public knowledge, but now that we know about them, watching him play the game will add depth to our appreciation of him as a person.
Let us remember Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind .. to one another.” We who know Christ as Lord are taught to have a way of life that involves this virtue: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV).
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* Click here for a video about the letters