Barbra Gentry-Pugh

The Sweetest of God’s Kindness

October 19, 2025

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

“If indeed you have tasted that the LORD is good” 1 Peter 2:3

Yesterday, October 18^th, many across Michigan and other Midwestern states celebrated Sweetest Day, traditionally observed on the third Saturday in October. When I moved from Texas to Michigan over 35 years ago, I had never heard of Sweetest Day. However, it didn’t take long for me to discover that it was a day marked by gifts, cards, and sweet gestures of affection.

Though it began as a simple act of kindness from candy makers to bring cheer to orphans and the elderly, its meaning has deepened over time into a day to express love and appreciation to those around us, discovering sweetness beyond candy.

This special day goes back to 1922, when Herbert Birch Kingston, an employee at a Cleveland candy company, wanted to spread joy and happiness to people who had very little. He handed out candy and treats to orphans, shut-ins, and others whom society had forgotten. Today, many celebrate by sharing treats with loved ones and sweethearts or visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and shelters to bless the less fortunate.

But as Believers in the risen Christ, we are reminded that true sweetness is not found in candy or cards. The sweetest expressions of life are discovered in God’s goodness and the kindness we extend to others. Sweetest Day offers a beautiful opportunity to reflect on what it means to share the sweetness of God’s love in a world that often tastes bitter.

As I reflected on Sweetest Day and its simple yet heartfelt origins, I was reminded that the truest sweetness we can experience isn’t found in the giving or receiving of candy; it’s found in the presence of God Himself. His love satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts and fills us with a joy that the world cannot offer. The psalmist David captured this beautifully when he wrote, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8.

Although I don’t have a “boo” to celebrate with, I’ve come to realize that the greatest love I could ever know doesn’t come wrapped in roses or chocolates; it’s found in my relationship with Christ. His love is constant, unconditional, and sweet beyond measure. I have a Savior whose love never fails, whose presence never fades, and whose goodness satisfies more deeply than any box of chocolates ever could.

The sweetest expressions of life are discovered in the goodness of God and in the kindness we extend to others. God doesn’t just want us to know about His goodness; He wants us to experience it. Every answered prayer, every quiet comfort in a storm, every moment of peace that surpasses understanding is evidence of His sweetness. God invites us not just to know about His goodness, but to experience it, to taste it, savor it, and allow it to transform us from within.

“Taste and See that the Lord is Good” ~ Psalm 34:8

This verse is an invitation, not merely to observe God from a distance, but to experience Him intimately. David’s words, written after a season of fear and deliverance, remind us that God’s goodness isn’t theoretical; it’s tangible to those who draw near to Him.

When we “taste” the Lord, we are choosing to trust Him, to lean into His presence even when life feels uncertain or bitter. His Word becomes nourishment for our souls, His promises become sweet reassurance, and His presence brings a peace that surpasses understanding.

The sweetest moments in life aren’t wrapped in paper or shared in a box of candy; they are wrapped in grace, love, and mercy. Every answered prayer, every moment of undeserved favor, every quiet assurance that He is near, those are the true “sweet treats” of the believer’s life.

“Be Kind and Compassionate” ~ Ephesians 4:32

Sweetness, in the life of a Believer in Christ, is expressed through kindness and compassion. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our relationships are to reflect the tender heart of Christ, forgiving, understanding, and patient.

True kindness flows from a heart that has tasted God’s mercy. Just as sugar sweetens what is bitter, kindness has a way of softening hard hearts and healing broken places. Our words can be the “sweet balm” that soothes someone’s spirit or the harsh edge that wounds them. When we choose kindness, even when it’s undeserved, we mirror the mercy God has shown us.

To “be kind and compassionate” means allowing the Holy Spirit to season our responses before we speak, extending grace when others falter, and showing empathy even when it’s inconvenient. It’s not about perfection but about presence, being the gentle reminder of God’s love wherever we go.

“The Fruit of the Spirit Is Kindness” ~ Galatians 5:22

^“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

The Apostle Paul’s description of the fruit of the Spirit paints a picture of a life overflowing with God’s character. Just as fruit grows naturally from a healthy tree, kindness grows naturally from a heart rooted in the Holy Spirit.

True spiritual sweetness doesn’t come from what we give materially ~ gifts, cards, or gestures – but from what we reflect spiritually: God’s love, peace, and gentleness. When the Spirit of God abides within us, He transforms our nature. Harshness gives way to gentleness, selfishness to generosity, and bitterness to sweetness.

Kindness is the visible evidence of an inward transformation! It is the proof that we have tasted God’s goodness and are now sharing it with others. The sweetest fragrance of Christ is not found in what we do for show, but in who we are becoming through His Spirit.

HEART CHECK: Have you taken time lately to truly “taste” the goodness of God, to savor His Word, reflect on His faithfulness, or simply sit in His presence?

Ask Yourself:

Is my life producing the kind of fruit that reveals the sweetness of God’s Spirit to others?
Is the fruit of kindness evident in your life? When others encounter you, do they sense the sweetness of God’s Spirit?
What would it look like today for your words, tone, or actions to carry the “fragrance of Christ’s love”?
Who might need to “taste” the sweetness of God’s kindness through you today?

HEART CHALLENGE: How can you make Sweetest Day not just about giving candy, but giving kindness and compassion? Why Should We Be Kind To One Another?

We should be kind because God has been kind to us and commands us to be kind to others. Ephesians 4:32. ^“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

We are kind because we want others to be kind to us. Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

Kindness is never lost; it keeps on going from person to person until it returns to you. Ruth 2:10-12. “Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. I am only a foreigner. Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

This Sweetest Day, share more than candy, share Christ’s compassion. Offer a kind word to a weary soul, a listening ear to someone in pain, or a gesture of love to one who feels forgotten. Let your life be the evidence of a sweet Savior who continues to pour out His goodness and grace.

A SWEET HEART: A sweet heart is a kind and loving heart. Kindness is the sign of a loving heart; one of the greatest of all virtues. A kind person is pleasant, good, gracious, and always appreciated. There’s a lot of talk these days about “random acts of kindness.” Maybe this is because we live in a society starved for good deeds. God is our model for kindness. The kindest act ever committed was God’s sending his own Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins so that we might live forever in heaven. God also showers us with kindness each day, sending sunshine and rain, food and friends, comfort and encouragement, boundless love and wisdom.

PRAYER:   Gracious and Faithful God, thank You for Your authoritative, inerrant, and inspired Word that invites us to taste of Your goodness and kindness, which is sweeter than honey. Father God, help us to walk in that kindness, speak with compassion, and reflect the beauty of Your Spirit. May our lives be a living testimony of Your sweetness to a world in such need of Your love. Teach us to taste and see Your presence in everyday moments. Allow our lives to be a reflection of Your sweetness to a world in need of Your love in the precious, powerful, and preeminent name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.