Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Leave.
The verse quickly comes to mind:
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 3:3, NASB)
What if kindness and truth were the two qualities each of our lives were to be known for?
What if kindness and truth were the two qualities consistently displayed in our lives in every situation at all times?
In other words, what if our lives were marked by kindness and truth?
“The greatest kindness one can render to any man consists in leading him from error to truth.” (Thomas Aquinas)
We are to be kind – meaning, we are to look to do good where we are able. We are to be a charitable, gentle, compassionate people. Our lives should be devoid of harshness and cruelty.
We are to know God’s truth but we are also to tell the truth. No falsehood, no lies should be spoken by us.
Knowing God’s truth will help us to discern situations seeing them fairly, justly, rightly, and truthfully.
“Bind them around your neck” reads like a command. We are to actively remember to live this way, and will only be successful as we have God’s Word in our hearts and minds daily, constantly, and consistently.
The Message says it so well:
“Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.”
We are to maintain a life of kindness and truth.
Bind them around your neck.
Earn a reputation for living well.
Image by -Rita-👩”🳠und 📷 mit ⤠from Pixabay
Today I may be joining …
Gird yourself in kindness
cloaked in God’s own truth,
acts which must seem mindless
to the poor benighted youth
aped now by their elders
in a rude TikTok embrace
where there are no shelters
for the growth of quiet grace,
but instead cacophony
of the meanest kind,
a place where it’s now dignity
to speak an addled mind
to make God think another Flood
could do the world a lot of good.
Andrew, your observations about the use of social media are quite true. This >> “where there are no shelters for the growth of quiet grace.” May we make a mark that is different is my prayer.
A wonderful encouragement, Joanne. To be remembered for truth and kindness would be a wonderful tribute to Christ within me.
I feel the same way, Lisa.
Pretty deep for five minutes. Great message!
I appreciate that you stopped to read. Blessings!
What a great reminder. We need to always be filled with kindness and truth. I love your originality in the use of the word leave.
Terri #6 FMFA
Getting the balance of kindness and truth can be difficult, but I agree, it would be an amazing witness if these were the things we were known for.
I’m always amazed by the beautiful messages you write on these Fridays when given a prompt and only a few minutes. I strive to be kind, but it’s one of those traits that we should nourish on a daily (every minute) basis so that kindness becomes a part of us as much as breathing. Thank you for this inspiring reminder.
Hi! I read your thoughts on leave the other day as a part of FMF. I actually thought I commented. And now I get to read a second time. Grateful!
I’ve been in Proverbs for a few days reading chronologically through the Bible. And I’m once again reminded of the treasure of God’s wisdom. Thank you for choosing this aspect of leave for your writing. Inspired by Holy Spirit. I leave encouraged!
I have never done the 5-Minute Friday prompt but decided to give it a try. I’m amazed how much you got out of 5-minutes and how little I managed to write. LOL Great thoughts!
Great exhortation.
Thanks for sharing.