In January I had the rare opportunity to spend a few winter days in Florida—Miami, to be exact. The weather was sunny, and the temperatures reached more than 80 degrees in the daytime. The chance to wear summer clothes in the middle of winter was pure delight. The climate was in stark contrast to the freezing temperatures at home in Maryland.

But despite wonderful weather, the occasion was a solemn one. Our family came together to honor the life of my mother-in-law, Elizabeth Krigger, who passed away in December at age 92.

More than 200 friends and family members packed the modest-sized church to celebrate her life. She was remembered with music, the spoken word, acknowledgments, and reflections from friends, children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. The impact of her life was evident by the stories they shared, as well as the expressions of love that filled the service.

As I reflected on the memorial, I couldn’t help realizing that the many acts of kindness my mother-in-law performed were a living example of what Christians everywhere should be about. By reaching out to neighbors, praying for a hurting coworker, or encouraging a young student or senior citizen, we are spreading the warm sunshine of Christ’s love and compassion in a cold, sinful world.

Through acts of kindness we reflect the character of Christ to those around us. The apostle Paul said it well: “Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives” (2 Cor. 3:2, 3, Message).* 

As God looks into our lives He wants to see Himself. If we are willing, He will. n

* Texts credited to Message are from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.