Kindness in the Bible

Image by author of flood memorial

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10, NKJV).

When disasters happen, as with the catastrophic flood that devastated the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, we see kindness come alive in biblical proportions.

It's been said that it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog that matters.

Perhaps we could also say it's not the size of the person showing kindness, but the size of the heart that shows it.

That's what touched my heart when I read the article yesterday about Juniper Clark, a nine-year-old girl from California, who has raised $ 1,000 for flood relief by making rubber band bracelets.

Juniper has a special connection to our community. She visited her great-grandma here in the Texas Hill Country last April (2025) during her spring break.

Juniper kayaked for the first time down the Guadalupe River–the same river that would take the lives of at least 135 people, three of whom were of Juniper's age, less than three months later.

How Kindness in the Bible Manifests Today

I don't know if Juniper and her family are believers or not; however, the "fruit" of her kindness is characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit we read about in the Bible (see Galatians 5:22). When Paul lists love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as fruit of the Spirit, he's describing how God's character shows up in our lives—and sometimes, as Juniper shows us, it appears in the most unexpected places.

Juniper's mom, Jasmine, said they started brainstorming ways they could help. Juniper came up with the idea for the bracelets.

The awakening for believers and non-believers alike is that the heart must first be touched to engage the brain. Without a heart of kindness, we will come up with an infinite number of good excuses why we can't help our brothers and sisters who are suffering.

But as believers, when we follow the Spirit within, it's just a matter of finding something to do and then doing it. That's what a nine-year-old girl from California can teach us all about making biblical kindness come alive.

So, what did Juniper do with the $1,000 she raised from her rubber band bracelets? She donated it to our local Kerrville kayaking business and the Mountain Home Volunteer Fire Department.

Like many of us, I sometimes struggle with the Apostle Paul's contention that "No one is good, no not one" (Romans 3:10-12). But while Scripture reminds us that all fall short, it also shows us that God's kindness works through willing hearts—believer and non-believer alike. We also read that Christians are known by their love and bearing good fruit.

This young girl is doing good and doing so out of the kindness of her heart. She is bearing good fruit, and the recipients of her efforts, I'm sure, will agree.

Further, it's not the amount of the gift that is important; it's the priceless expression of kindness that is.

Only God knows what is ahead for Juniper, but whatever it is, He must be taking notice of her. Those of us who read about her story certainly are.

Juniper's bracelet mission reminds us that kindness doesn't require great resources—just a willing heart and hands ready to serve.

As we continue to support our community's recovery from the July flood, let's ask ourselves: What "bracelet mission" is God calling us to?

Whether it's volunteering time, donating resources, or simply offering a listening ear to those still hurting, we all have opportunities to make biblical kindness come alive.

Take a moment today to reach out to someone affected by the floods, support a local relief organization, or brainstorm your own creative way to help.

After all, if a nine-year-old girl from California can make a difference with rubber band bracelets, imagine what we can accomplish when we let the Spirit move through our own acts of kindness.

See Juniper's story here.

Related Fruit of the Spirit Posts:

• Kindness That Outlasts the Storm

• Agape Love in the Bible and Everyday Life

• Goodness as Fruit of the Spirit: Bridging Grace and Works