Acts of Kindness

One of the most important aspects as disciples that we should nurture is a Christ-like love for our neighbor. One simple way to nurture this love is by regularly performing unself acts of kindness. following are some suggestions on getting started, as well as some helpful principles. Committing to acts of kindness for 40 days or even just a couple of weeks can slow you down dramatically and cause you to consider the needs of others. So if you want to flex your compassion muscles and get them back into shape here are one dozen suggestions on where to start:

1. Send flowers or a card anonymously
2. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen
3. Seek out a single parent and offer to baby-sit or do errands.
4. Mow your neighbor's lawn when they aren't home or shovel his or her driveway in the winter.
5. Clean up a neglected area in your neighborhood.
6. Call the Church office and volunteer to help with a mailing or answering phones.
7. Next time you go out to eat, ask the waitress for someone else's bill and anonymously buy a stranger's meal.
8. Find a family in need of food and clothing and begin supplying part of that need. (tip...school counselors are often aware of these types of needs)
9. Adopt someone home bound and visit, write, or call regularly.
10. Invite people who are apart from family to be a part of yours on holidays.
11. Volunteer at a community agency or non-profit group.
12. Fix and extra special meal for your family.

You get the idea. Now come up with your own list. Start by listing 10 people who need an act of kindness right now. These can be friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors, or even strangers. You might wonder, "What strangers could I list?" What about people who work late shifts? Imagine the joy it would bring if you brought fresh baked cookies to a third shift in the Emergency room at the hospital or to some fire fighters.

Once you have your list. Schedule when you will do it. Great intentions mean nothing until they become great actions. You may be thinking I will just do random acts when they occur. That is great but you are more likely to achieve more if you have written plan.

Blessings to you as you seek to be a blessing to others.