Be the Reason...

It amazes me that sometimes it takes a complete stranger to make you see your work has value and is not for naught. What started as a random conversation in Starbucks about football, moved to my name badge and this: "I'll let you slide for being a Cowboys fan, because that's some super good stuff you do there. Thanks for what you do." I'm not saying this to offer myself a pat on the back, nor do I want some applause. I've done anything but that for myself this week. I've beat myself up. Been disappointed. Jaded. Broken. Wanted to quit. I'm offering this: If a perfect stranger can offer encouragement to someone he doesn't know, then why do we take those so dear to us for granted? If you have a carer, a helper, a supporter in your life-thank them. Encourage them. Don't assume they know you appreciate them. And don't assume everyone else is offering it either. Also most helpers are rarely taking the time to do this for themselves, or taking the time to even take care of themselves. All their time and energy is being put into you or someone else. A simple act of kindness could make a world of difference to their own well being, and could even keep them from quitting altogether. Be the reason someone feels encouraged today.

~ January Marshall

Praying for...

Many times we pray for patience, boldness or courage, but we don't want the opportunities to prove that we are learning the lessons we just want God to work an instant miracle and make those virtues exist in us.

Its easy to feel kind, hospitable and compassionate when we are showing those virtues to people who are similar to us. The real challenge appears when we have to show kindness to someone who treats us unkindly, takes advantage of us, or has a different world view.

I've noticed that my children are "perfect saints" when everything is going their way, but their halos start to slide when everything isn't going according to their perfect plan. I wonder where they learned that? No, I don't wonder, I know. I so badly want to be a good example to my children and show them that I can be a vessel for God even in situations that aren't pleasant for me.

Let's encourage each other along in the faith and lift each other up in prayer as we strive to become more like our risen Savior and live the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives, not just when its comfortable or easy!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. Acts 11:23

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. Romans 1:11-13

He is RISEN! He is RISEN indeed!

Random Acts of Kindness

* Note if you are checking for updates on Daniel's recovery keep scrolling down. *

I just found a neat website that could serve as a catalyst for us as we strive show kindness to our fellow man. Check it out! Maybe it will give you an idea you haven't thought of... Do something kind today!

This year Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 11-17. Some ideas from the website are:

* Offer a couple of hours of baby-sitting to parents.
* Treat someone to fresh fruit.
* Pay a compliment at least once a day.
* Transport someone who can’t drive.
* Mow a neighbor’s grass.
* Say something nice to everyone you meet today.
* Give the gift of your smile.
* Tell your children why you love them.
* Write a note to your mother/father and tell them why they are special.
* Write a thank-you note to a mentor or someone who has influenced your life in a positive way.
* Donate time at a senior center.
* Give blood.
* Give another driver your parking spot.
* Give a pair of tickets to a baseball game or concert to a stranger.
* Drop off a plant, cookies, or donuts to the police or fire department.
* Open the door for another person.
* Call an estranged family member.
* Pay for the person behind you in the movie line.
* Give friends and family kindness coupons they can redeem for kind favors.
* Offer to return a shopping cart to the store for someone loading a car.
* Invite someone new over for dinner.
* Write a card of thanks and leave it with your tip. Be sure to be specific in your thanks.
* Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line.
* Buy cold drinks for the people next to you at a ball game.
* Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person.
* As you go about your day, pick up trash.
* Send a gift anonymously to a friend.
* Slip a $20 bill to a person who you know is having financial difficulty.

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
~ Matthew 6:1-4

Not too long ago a kind-hearted Christian couple came by our house and gave us a gift card to use for our Thanksgiving dinner. They said that they were going out of town and didn't have any expense for Thanksgiving this year and wanted to help someone who did. I was humbled and grateful. Later when I thanked the lady of the house for her kindness and the gift card she asked what gift card I was talking about and then said that she had already forgotten and referenced the Scripture above. She and her husband are fine examples of Jesus in action! I want to be like them. I want to be like Jesus!

For information on a book full of kind ideas check out the book Signs of Life at Robin's Reading Room.

If you are here checking for updates for Daniel keep scrolling down to the next post or do a search with his name.