Random Acts of Kindness

Have you ever been the recipient of a random act of kindness?  This past week our family has received two gifts and they are both very anonymous.

The first was an email from the financial aid office at Perkins and some wonderful stranger gave me a scholarship that almost covered my expenses to the penny for this semester.   Do you know what was asked of me to accept this random act of kindness?  A thank you note!   That is all, no bank statement, no essay about why I am in school, etc.  They wanted a thank you note.   I have decided that when I am out of school this is a goal for me.  I want to be able to do this for someone.  I have a feeling that this person was living the same life that I am now, and understand some of the struggles and joys that come with serving a church and attending Perkins.  They choose to give back to others.

Then late last week I posted on facebook that my Crock-pot had a crack in it and asked for recommendations for a new Crock-pot.    I got many ideas and was going to go out on Saturday and get a new one, but life just got away from me and it just did not happen.   I think it is important to say that I cook ALL of our family meals in the Crock-pot during the week.  So, I was going to go out after we got home from choir on Sunday and get the counter top staple in our home.  Then Dan called to tell me that we had a crock-pot on our front porch- A brand new nice crock-pot in a box!   So, I called my neighbor and thanked her.  She had no idea what I was talking about.  I then called another friend and my Mom and both of them also were not the givers.    I will never know who put that on my front porch, but I do know that they have a kind heart.

These acts of kindness have made my week so much better.  This is who we are and should strive to be as a faith community.   We know the needs of others and reach out and help when we know people need it.  We make a phone call, we send a meal, we say a prayer, take a kid to practice, etc.

I feel that one of the greatest commandments that Jesus gave us is to love our neighbor as our self.  This is not always an easy task, but it who we strive to be as a Christian community. 

Mark 12:29-31 (CEB)

“Jesus replied, “The most important one is Israel, listen!  Our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all you hear, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this; You will love your neighbor as yourself.  No other commandment is greater than these.”

Who can you give love to this week who needs it?  What happens when you do?  Please send me your random act of kindness stories and I will feature some of them in an upcoming blog.  Have fun!!!

Here is a list to get you thinking:

• Pick up a piece of trash lying on the street and put it in a trash can.
• Compliment a co-worker for his or her good performance.
• Bring a box of cupcakes to share with your classmates at school or your colleagues at work.
• Help your neighbor take out the trash.
• Write little notes of thanks or support to your friends.
• Write to someone you haven't seen or talked to in a long time.
• Make a meal for someone.
• Address your server or waiter by name and leave a generous tip.
• Help someone change a flat tire.
• Let someone cut in front of you in a line, especially when he or she is in a rush.
• Give your parking spot to another driver.
• Give someone a present for no reason. Better yet, send it anonymously.
• Volunteer to do someone else's task.
• A random acts of kindness list won't be complete without the reminder to always smile. Smile at strangers, smile at people who aren't nice to you, even to people you don't like. Smile - it's infectious!