That resonated with me. Yes, it doesn’t cost anything to be kind. If it is free, then why isn’t it offered more often? Little did I know that on our return flight, a sinkhole on the runway would severely delay our return flight by several days. We waited in a long line to get some assistance with the situation. It wasn’t the customer service clerk’s fault for the delay, but some passengers were not kind. My husband, my daughter, and I were prayerful even before we left for the airport, and the Lord delivered us out of the situation, and we got on a return flight the next day. 

However, getting back to the statement “Kindness is free.” What do the scriptures teach about kindness? One of my favorite things to teach children is the golden rule. This rule is clearly established in Matthew 7:12, “All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

I have had kids misinterpret this and say, “So if they aren’t nice, I should not be nice back.” Then comes the explanation about how we should think about how we would wish to be treated. Somehow, that often gets lost in the translation with kids. 

I have had many jobs in dealing with people, and I kept this in mind as we waited in line at the airport to reach the customer service desk to learn our options. Since many passengers were in the same predicament, the options were limited, and the clerk had to be the messenger. We certainly didn’t take out our frustrations on her, and we eventually, calmly came up with a solution. I know if I were in her position, I would not have wanted to be treated unkindly, and I gave her the same courtesy.

The scriptures also mention kindness as one of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Kindness is considered a spiritual discipline and reveals a transformed life.

What are some practical ways to be kind?

Generosity: Proverbs expresses that whoever is kind to the poor is ultimately “lending to the Lord” and will be rewarded.

Overcome Evil: Luke 6:35 instructs us to love our enemies and do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything in return.

Show Hospitality: Hebrews 13:2 instructs us to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

The flight attendant gave good advice that day and gave me something to think about. Kindness is free, and when I freely offer it, they are truly three good words to live by.