Everyday Acts of Kindness
You’ve probably heard or read about something called, “Random Acts of Kindness”. Recently, I saw a bumper sticker that touted the virtues of this phenomenon. It’s really is a great idea! When you think about it, doesn’t everyone like to be pleasantly surprised with an act of kindness. It’s a wonderful concept that was recently reinforced during a Bible study as a viable way to share God’s love with those around us.
My first experience…………………the Taco Bell drive-thru. My teen daughters creatively made up cards that said either, “God cares about you” or “God loves you”. We pulled into the drive-thru and I paid for my order. Then I handed the clerk (about 19 years old) money for the order behind me. It confused her terribly. She told me she wasn’t sure if I was allowed to pay for someone else and promptly went for the manager.
The manager came back smiling and explained to the clerk that it was perfectly fine (and wonderful) for someone to show kindness in this way. The manager leaned toward the window and said to me, “The young people today are too cynical.” I told her and the clerk that I hoped this act of kindness would help people to know there are good things in this life and that God wants us to know and share that.
I paid for the car behind me and handed the handmade card to clerk to give them. The biggest smile beamed from her face then. “God bless you,” she said.
Since then, God has given our family opportunities to continue sharing these acts of kindness. It’s important that the people know the reason….it’s not just a nice thing to do, but an expression of God’s love for them. The next project: handing out Fall Harvest bags (almost like a reverse trick-or-treat) to the workers in the grocery store where we shop. Most of the workers (deli, bakery, dairy, frozen, etc.) already know us enough from our years of shopping, but we want to share something more than face recognition and a hi-how-are-you-doing with them. The girls are excited. We’ve filled the bags with wrapped candy and have stickers on the bag that let them know God cares.
You know, it’s not such a bad plot line for a romance book. I’ll have to think more about it. Until then…………….share God’s love with your community and let them know how much He cares. Drop me a line if you have any great ideas to share with the other readers.
Blessings,
Beth