I’m told the Kindness Initiative began in Ontario, Canada. But, if you search for it online today, you’ll find numerous Kindness Initiative websites. 

Mesa County Kindness Initiative’s Facebook page features videos of our very own Captain Kindness. Captain Kindness dresses up in leotards and capes with a large K on the front of his shirt. He speaks at schools, youth groups, or anywhere else he’s invited to appear. Here’s what the captain shared at one recent event:

“Kindness is a state of being that powerfully influences us. Kindness has the power to melt down hatred. It strengthens the weak, encourages the despairing, and brings light to those in darkness. It opens the door to the healing of old wounds and overcomes social barriers. Kindness inspires us to be the best version of ourselves and empowers us to ‘go for it!’ The need for kindness, to feel known and accepted is universal.”

Local leaders and churches have found that—even in our community—many people are feeling lonely and isolated and need human connection.

“Intentional kindness is where that connection begins. Anyone can do it! It’s as simple as helping another person pick up a dropped item, opening a door or letting someone into a line of traffic at rush hour. It demonstrates to those around us that, ‘I see you and you are important to me,” he shared.

The Bible includes many passages that support his advice.

“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
- Luke 6:31

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
- Galatians 6:9 

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” - Proverbs 12:25

Could you use a good word from someone today? Colossians 3:12 encourages us to clothe ourselves in kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness and patience. Galatians 5:22 tells us that a life surrendered to Christ produces spiritual fruits—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I don’t know about you, but those are the qualities I want to be known for. 

There’s much division and unrest in our society today. How can we make our way out of it? The Kindness Initiative seems so simple. Could it really change our community? I believe so. 

When we treat others kindly, we are actually reversing the curse of sin. Scripture says the devil only comes to rob, kill and destroy. But when we treat one another with kindness, his plan fails.

What if we were to intentionally strive to just be kind? It starts with you and me. Let’s be kind to those around us and see it spread in and beyond our communities.