Listen

Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people.

Colossians 3:12-15

Think

When I was a kid, my brothers and I often got hand-me-down clothes from our cousins. Many times at family gatherings, someone would bring a bag of clothes to give away. We were excited to see what kinds of t-shirts or other pieces might be in the bag. Of course, there was always some item we liked that ended up being too big. The adults assured us, “It’s ok, you’ll grow into it.”

Our scripture for today says to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Instead of “put on,” some translations of the Bible say, “clothe yourselves with…” These clothes are too big for us. How can we be kind and compassionate all the time? How can we have grace and patience when we’re stressed and anxious? God calls us to put on these clothes anyway, and trust that God will help us grow into them.

These clothes are much too big. But as we start a new year, there are endless opportunities to keep growing into them. Thanks be to God.

Laura Edgar

Question to Ponder:

What does it mean to clothe yourself with kindness?

Pray

God, thank you for helping me grow. One way I want to grow this year is…

Help me to grow into a kinder person each day.

Amen.

Go

Do justice: pay attention to the needs around you.

Love kindness: take action in big and small ways to help others.

Walk humbly: be confident in God’s love for you, and remember God’s love for everyone.