by Martha June

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us -“

Isaiah 63:7

Praise and Prayer is the title of Isaiah 63:7-19. Following verse 7, praise and prayer are attributed to the God of Israel. The prophet Isaiah acknowledges the sins of his people, but he also acknowledges the many kindnesses of God to his children. Isaiah highlights the big miraculous ways God showed himself to his people throughout history as a reflection on his character.

“…yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.”

Isaiah 63:7

The idea of God’s many kindnesses has struck me. I have been reminded of the many kindnesses of God in my life and it has benefitted me greatly to reflect on them – truly my cup overflows.

God’s kindness is manifest in the crucifixion; in Christ alone. I have salvation through the blood of Christ and his resurrection. Kindness is not the word, but mercy. I received mercy that day, so did you. Such a mercy that is far beyond anything I could ever deserve. In addition to salvation, God’s kindness is at our very finger tips every day in The Bible. Not only is our cup full of salvation, but it is full of the word of God! And God does not stop with those two things. He further reveals himself through prayer, and life’s circumstances.

For me he has been a comfort, a friend, and a helper. How kind! Even when my plans don’t come to fruition, even when I’m grappling with disappointment, discomfort, and discouragement, even when I cannot see a way out – God has made himself real to me. God is so kind.

Today, I want to go beyond the kindnesses I have mentioned above and share a personal kindness – one that comes with both praise and a prayer.

As a little girl, trying to grasp what a life with Jesus looked like, I was gifted a Bible. I had been gifted others, but this one was different. This was the NIV Soul Surfer Bible. It was pocket sized, and multicolored, with a water proof cover, and devotions from Bethany Hamilton inside. Like every other girl in 2010/2011, I was enamored with *Bethany Hamilton’s story. I admired her faith, the way she lived, and where she lived!

Because of this, I considered it the ultimate gift. And as any 11 year old girl would do, I filled out the “get to know me” quiz included inside. Answering the question, “What is your dream vacation spot?” with two things – the later being “Go to Hawaii and go to the beach everyday”. I loved that Bible, and brought it with me everywhere. Slowly, it became a very small part of my persona. So much so that years later, childhood friends have asked me if I still have it. The answer always being, “yes!”

Many years have passed since I had to retire from using that Bible daily. The spine was coming apart, the covering was falling off, and in order to preserve it I tucked it away.

For many years I held onto that childhood “dream vacation” and at some point decided that trip would likely never happen – for a million reasons. Frankly, I had too much to do. So I tucked that dream away too, letting it go to gather dust. I would like to say I gave it to God, but I really just gave it up.

Fast forward to January 2023. My Mom and sister were planning a trip together for July. I was invited, and the trip would be to Kauai, Hawaii. (!!) Before I knew it, tickets were purchased, plans were made, we were flying to the last little Island in the string of Hawaiian Islands.

This trip was for my Mom’s birthday, a fulfillment of a dream she had much longer than I…but that did not stop me from tearing up on the plane. It was not lost on me that Kauai is where Bethany Hamilton lived, and simultaneously the same place I wanted to go as a kid. AND loaded in my small carry-on was my beloved “Soul Surfer” Bible.

Kauai was beautiful, and so was our trip. This was a shared dream between my Mom, sister and I – and there is nothing like seeing a dream fulfilled in the eyes of the people you love.

Unfortunately, I never got a picture of my Bible on the Kauai beaches. But it does not make the experience any less meaningful. Why do I share this? As a reminder for you – What I forgot about, God remembered. God remembered! That is my praise.

Here is my prayer – I don’t believe that God loves me so he “sent me to Hawaii”. No, I was able to see his kindness there as I can at home. As I illustrated above, God’s kindness is not subject to circumstance (and never should be) but made real through Jesus. I do believe that God can orchestrate our circumstances to remind us of his goodness – whether our circumstance are good or bad. I believe God can and will be personal with each and every one of us. I pray you take comfort in the fact that God cares about even the smallest details of your life.

(Matthew 6:25)

Like Isaiah, I want to share of the many kindnesses of God! And I hope you too will reflect on what his kindness looks like for you.

Sincerely,

Martha June

*If you are unfamiliar with Bethany Hamilton’s story – here is a link.

P.S. Feel free to share a “personal kindness” God has given you in the comments – big or small. 🙂