Acts of kindness

I have challenged my kids to something this week. Maybe you've heard this too many times before, perhaps it's become cliche. But when was the last time you tried to bless someone with a completely random act of kindness? I'm assuming you're like the rest of us. Don't you enjoy the smallest of things in life? God wants us to love each other deeply, offer hospitality, and use our gifts to bless others. Let me tell you what that has meant to my little ones this week. Here are some things they've come up with to bless others:

1-color a picture for the church secretary

2-give an apple to the school teacher

3-make a point of saying hi to the shy girl in class

4-asking boys at the bus stop to shoot baskets before school

5-stopping and chatting with the somewhat grumpy neighbor

6-set the table for mom without any provocation

7-help put up groceries

8- made a card for a sick boy from Sunday School

Here are some things I have done this past week:

1-given a card to a hurting friend

2-given candy to cheer someone up

3-made a CD for a friend who needs to hear uplifting messages

4-sent a funny e-card to someone I've lost touch with

5-slowed down and listened to someone who really, really needed it

These may not seem special at all. But these are things our family has a heart for. What do you have a heart for? Are you a good cook? Are you a good cleaner? Do you knit? Do you sing and dance? I don't know what things God has blessed you with. I challenge you to find a way to make someone's day a little bit brighter. I promise you that random acts of kindness never get old. The phrase may be cliche. But the heart of it will never be.

Today I challenge you to be ONE DAY BETTER at showing kindness.

1 Peter 4:8-10

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Just Do It

I hate to borrow Nike's slogan but it fits. Let me explain. I had a meeting with the most wonderful lady today. We got to talking about how the church needs to be re-trained in how to love people. And let me see now...somewhere in the Bible it says we are to do good things ESPECIALLY to those who are Christians. For those of you who know me well you know this is a bone I have to pick with the world. I can't seem to get over it. Here's the deal. There are people everywhere around us who are hurting. What are we doing about it?

Do you see any of these people in your daily life?

single parents

someone with cancer

children of divorce

an alcoholic

a widow

a widower

someone who lost their job

someone who's injured

a terminally ill person

a mentally ill person

a pastor

a teacher

a mom

a dad

a neighbor

a clerk at a store

the trashman

the mailman

a coach

Surely you see some of these people in your daily life. How are you loving them? Shouldn't we look different than non-Christians? Shouldn't we reach out to people we see? How hard is it? We don't have to solve their problems. We don't even need to offer advice. I'd actually advise we all just hush. Jesus didn't sit and lecture people. He loved them. He changed them. He offered them something eternally better. Can't we offer them that, too?

It is easy to write a check to an organization. It is fun to fill up a box for Operation Christmas Child. It's interesting and fulfilling to "adopt" a World Vision child. It's obedience to give to the local church with our time and our money. But it is hard to love actual people. Why? I have no idea. It's very simple. Just do it.

What do people need? What do YOU need?

-a listening ear

-a meal

-a hug

-a cookie

-a friend

-time

-compassion

-sympathy

-understanding

-laughter

-a prayer

-a note of encouragement

My challenge to you this week is to look around you an reach out to people. People may not be holding signs that say, "I'm hurting." Love on them anyway. JUST DO IT. Now that's honoring God.

Be one day better at loving those around you.

Romans 12:9-13

Love must be sincere....Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves...Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Galatians 5:6

...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 6:9-10

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all peopl, especially those who belong to the family of believers.