Yesterday we met Melanie, who had decided to establish a new birthday tradition for herself. She would use her day of celebration to complete 38 not-so-random acts of kindness, one for each candle on her birthday cake. After having a good time meeting her goal on her 38th birthday, Melanie let us all know, in a second email, how it went:
Hi, again!
Just had to update you on what was a pretty terrific day. The best part was hearing from all of you who were in cahoots with me, looking for a way to bless someone in your path. Here’s some of what we were busy with this week:
Made copies for someone and delivered them- Took time to visit an elderly man in poor health
- Helped someone figure out their new printer
- Wrote a letter to an old friend
- Called up a home-bound friend for a cheerful visit
- Let someone go first in the car line at school
- Slowed down and asked questions about things people are interested in
- Smiled more and frowned less
- Donated blood
- Secretly paid for ice cream for the next family in line
- Swept snow off cars in the parking lot
- Left a note, gift, and balloon by the door of someone who shares my birthday
- Took coffee to several school employees
- Donated to places like the Salvation Army
- Set a floral arrangement in the lobby at school with a note
- Wrote encouraging notes to the kids’ teachers and principal
- Left a note for the church staff thanking them and letting them know they’re prayed for
- Left encouraging notes for library and maintenance staff at church
- Left helium balloons for the kids of the moms in the Bible study at church
- Shared floral arrangements with various friends
- Delivered helium balloons to some nearby friends
- Left Cracker Jack boxes for mailman and neighbors
- Paid for another person’s coffee
- Gave away several gift cards
- Brought dinner to a friend
- Paid extra attention to my tone of voice and patience with my family
- Brought cookies and a thank-you to firefighters
- Took coffee to my in-laws
* * * * * * * * *
Just reading through this partial list of kindnesses turned out to be an act of kindness to me. It brought a special heart-glow and taught me a thing or two about simple, doable blessings all of us can pass along.
Tomorrow we’ll hear from Melanie once more as she shares how she hopes to refine her birthday project so that 39 not-so-random acts of kindness can be delivered effectively on her second annual attempt to let the light of Christ shine through.
“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)