The Kindness Nobody Sees

Hey, Carpool Crew! Happy Wednesday. Quick question. Have you ever done something nice for somebody, then waited around hoping they'd notice so you could get a thank-you? I'm Pastor Justin. There's something funny about kindness. The second we do something nice, we usually want a little credit. So today we're flipping that around. Here's the one thing to remember for the ride: the best kindness is the kind that expects nothing back. Listen to Luke 6:35. Jesus says, "But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return." Expecting nothing in return means you do the good thing and don't wait around for a prize. You just do it and walk away. Think about what Jesus is asking. Most of the time we're nice to people who are nice to us. That's easy. But Jesus says the kindness that looks the most like God is when you help and nobody even knows it was you. If Jesus were standing in the kitchen with you early one morning, He would smile and say, "Do the good thing even when no one will ever know it was you. My Father sees it. He keeps track of every quiet, hidden kind thing, and never misses one." It's an early summer morning and you're the first one awake. You shuffle into the kitchen and it's a mess from the night before. Cups on the counter, crumbs everywhere. You could walk right past it. It's not your job. But instead you quietly load the dishwasher, wipe the counter, and put stuff away. When mom comes down later, she has no idea it was you, and you don't tell her. That, right there, is the kindness nobody sees. This week, here are a few things to try. First, do one kind thing today that you keep totally secret. Don't tell a single person. Second, when you catch yourself wanting credit, say one sentence in your head. "God, this one's just for You." Third, ask yourself, would I still do the nice thing if I knew nobody would ever find out? That answer tells you a lot about your heart. Let's go back to that one thing for the ride. The best kindness is the kind that expects nothing back. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And hey, Carpool Crew, we've got free coloring pages waiting for you at carpoolingwithjesus.com. Print one for the kitchen table, then snap a photo of your finished art and send it to me. I look at every single one. And if your family wants the weekend episodes too, they're waiting in Carpooling with Jesus+, right in the app you're already using. Before you go, let's answer this together. What's one kind thing you could do this week that nobody would ever find out about? I love you, Carpool Crew. I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.