The little kindnesses and self-denials of Christian living!

(Henrietta Wilson, "Little things" 1852)

"Be kind and compassionate to one another" Ephesians 4:32 

Look around you, first in your own family, then among your friends and neighbors, and see whether there is not someone you can show kindness to — someone . . .
  whose little burden you can lighten,
  whose little cares you may lessen,
  whose little pleasures you can promote,
  whose little wants and wishes you can gratify.

Cheerfully giving up our own pleasures to minister to others, is one of the little kindnesses and self-denials of Christian living. Doing little things that nobody likes to do, but which must be done by someone, is another.

It may seem to many, that if they avoid little unkindnesses, they must necessarily be doing all that is required. But it is not enough to abstain from sharp words, sneering tones, petty contradictions, or daily little irritations. We must be active and earnest in kindness — not merely passive and inoffensive.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12, 14