Category Archives: Thankfulness

One More from Melanie

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In this season of giving, we’ve peeked in on how someone else does it, providing some fresh oomph for all of us to pass along whatever kindnesses we can. Melanie reported, after her birthday was over, that next year she’ll tweak her system to make it more efficient. After all, the number of kindnesses will only grow as the candles on her cake increase. Here’s what she wrote in an email:

At the end of the day I was pretty worn out…next year I’ll have to start giving myself a week to accomplish my list, because it’s not going to get any easier to get through it.  

Kindness..Many of the things were actually just a matter of getting around to my good intentions…notes I meant to write or thank-you’s I meant to say long ago but hadn’t accomplished. It felt good to just hunker down and be intentional (which is the opposite of random, I know) about making sure certain people were feeling loved and appreciated. I learned that it really doesn’t take much time at all, with a little planning, to brighten someone’s day who really needs it.

A few more things I learned… 

Kindness participantKindness starts at home. There are a gazillion things I do that all of us moms and wives do to serve our families, but I’m learning that there’s a big difference in the way I go about it when I have the mindset of, “How can I bless them?” I noticed an absence of resentment and an all-around better attitude when I thought to myself, “I can get this for him,” or “She would like it if…” Thanks, Lord, for the heart change! 

Along those lines, as this becomes a birthday tradition, I may make arrangements so the kids aren’t with me the _whole_ time I’m running around town. It may get easier as they get older, but this year I heard a lot of whining about getting in and out of the car, and it really amounted to a long day with lots of driving around for them. 

I also learned that I’m really awkward when I’m talking to random people. But the look of surprise when they learn they’re getting a free coffee is worth it.

Kindness....And I want to be sure to bless people who don’t get many thank-you’s, like those serving at school or church or cleaning public restrooms.  

And most importantly, I want to make the day less about “random,” which is a little too much about me and “how nice I am.” Instead I want to more purposefully share the love of Christ, because without him, I’m rotten and selfish.

And lastly, I confirmed that I have the most patient, indulgent husband. He drove around in rush hour traffic for me and never complained.  

All in all, best birthday ever. Tradition established. 

Love, Mel

“Remember this…. Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”                    (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Praising and praying with Mary

I’m praising God for an early Christmas gift: my feeding tube came out today! Thank you so much for the faithful praying all of you did about this!

Random Acts of Kindness

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Kindness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit listed in Scripture. (Galatians 5:22) In other words, if we believe in Jesus, kindness ought to be pouring out of us like crazy: thoughtfulness of others, compassion toward the needy, sympathy for the grieving, consideration of another’s point of view, etc.

In recent years myriad organizations have sprung up for the sole purpose of performing “random acts of kindness” for no other reason than just to be nice. There’s even a foundation by that name (Random Acts of Kindness International), a non-profit “founded upon the powerful belief in kindness, and dedicated to providing resources and tools that encourage acts of kindness.”

Of course we don’t need the resources of a foundation to act kindly, and a while ago I received an interesting email from my friend Melanie, who’s made a serious commitment to being kind. She’s decided that every year on her birthday she’s going to devote the entire day to random acts of kindness, doing it in the name of Jesus. Here’s what she wrote:

Hello, Dear Ones! 

Acting kindToday, to mark my 38th trip around the sun, I’m going to be out and about doing (Intentional) Random Acts of Kindness, hoping to bring some sunshine into the lives of others in the community who are special or helpful or just look like they need a smile.

Would you do me the honor of joining me today and blessing someone, a friend or stranger, with an encouraging word, a smile, or some other kindness?

These are things we all try to do anyway, but today I’m going to see if I can do at least 38, and it’ll be fun to know that you’re looking for a way to spread a little love today, too. I’m starting out this morning by putting the kids’ clothes in the dryer so they are nice and warm when they put them on.

This isn’t about a pat on the back but rather: “Let your light so shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)   

We are blessed to be a blessing!

Acts of KindnessSo Melanie determined that on her 38th birthday she would do 38 deliberate, not-really-random acts of kindness, some face-to-face, some in secret, making a commitment to add one more with each new birthday.

Then she ended her email by inviting her friend-list to reply back with ways they thought of to be kind, so the group could swap ideas and inspire each other.

Tomorrow we’ll get to see what a happy birthday she had!

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. I’m praising God that our 11th grandchild may arrive in the next few days!
  2. Please pray about feeding-tube-frustration. Today’s appointment with the specialist resulted only in being turned over to an appointment with a surgeon on Thursday.

Unwrapping Christmas

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Yesterday I received a heavy box in the mail, and since my granddaughter Emerald was over-to-play, we opened it together. That is, we tried.

The artistBefore I could fetch a scissors to cut the tape, Emerald (who was seated cross-legged on the kitchen counter) grabbed my pen and began drawing on the sturdy white box. Since it was heavy and seemed well-padded, I decided to let her have a moment with her idea and pulled out the colored markers for her.

She ended up working on that box for 25 minutes, a noteworthy attention span for a new two-year-old. As she chattered away, she turned the box (no small feat with its heft) and every so often asked for help with that. “Mee Mee help you?” I moved her to the floor where she continued to draw, decorating all 6 sides before she was finished.

While she was asleep, it occurred to me she’d never been interested in what was inside that big, heavy box, because she got distracted by the packaging.

The artworkSome of us are tempted to do that with the Christmas season, too, allowing ourselves to get so caught up with the trappings of the holiday we never get around to unwrapping God’s gift.

Admittedly, all the Christmas accessories fancy-up the season in ways that are difficult to resist. We buy into buying, and adorn our homes with baubles and bows. We choose well-balanced Christmas trees and load them with sentiment and family history. We entertain and bake and wrap and decorate till December 25 finally comes and goes. And then we fall into a tired heap with smiles on our faces, knowing fun was had by all.

Apples and jamBut did we ever take time to unwrap The Gift?

“…for the exceeding grace of God in you… thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:14-15)

 

Praising and Praying with Mary

Please continue to pray about my painful feeding tube and for God’s wisdom about whether or not to have it removed.