Jesus set a great example for all of us, His followers, in sharing and showing kindness and love with others. Not only does kindness shared with other bless them, but it also blesses the giver.
In this forum section, we will highlight some of the acts of kindness people have done for others. If you received a kindness from someone or if you shared one yourself, please tell us about it so we can all get ideas of kindnesses that we too can share.
One favorite act of kindness shared by one gentleman was to pay for someone's toll fare going over a bridge or highway. Pay for yourself and then tell the toll booth attendant that you're going to pay for the friend behind you.
One morning one of the workers who made his rounds of schools noticed something very colourful on his car's windshield. As he got closer, he saw that it was a beautiful yellow rose touched with dew. This sight coupled with the morning sunshine, made him feel warm, physically and emotionally. There was no note attached to the gift.
The unconditional gift of love asked nothing of him. He was so touched that he pass on the kindness as often as he can.
DARLENE
THERE are 2 or 3 people that do not have cars where
I LIVE so some times I TAKE them to TOWN for errans
that they have to do.
dgrimm60
Now that is a gift, dgrimm60! I'm sure they the ones you give a lift to really appreciate your gift. It is very difficult to be without a car or any form of transportation these days. If I didn't have a car I would be lost. So.....keep giving! :- )
Giving to people doesn't have to be costly or even cost anything. Your smile is a gift that lifts and encourages people.
There was a man who has to communte a long distance to his office each morning. The highlight of his trip is a gentleman who waves to him. The man walks along the road, rain or shine, facing traffic with his black Labrador retriever. In nine years of commuting the man consistently has gotten a smile, wave and a wish for a good day. What a sweet, endearing, unconditional act of kindness that has been. After all these years he doesn't even know the man's name, but has taken his gift gladly and passes it on because it lifts him so.
Another man in the Boston area gives similar greetings to passersby, lighting one of the corners of that city by sending out greetings of love and endarment. He shakes hands, blows kisses and smiles the most joyous of smiles to anyone, of any colour, size, age or economic status.
DARLENE
I always open the door to the post office or the
bank for people when I go in and out.
that seems like something small but you should
see the peoples faces light up when I do this.
dgrimm60
That is special and I'm sure appeciated. Good on you, dgrimm60!
There are many people who eat at soup kitchens during holidays. Many of us can help by donating goods and $ to soup kitchens or we can do like the following family did:
For Thanksgiving their family planned their holiday dinner, bought twice as much as they needed and then took the second set of dinner ingredients to their local food bank. The administrator told them that the contributions has been lean during the recession. And so they were very grateful for this meal.
Later that evening, the administrator phoned them to say that a father of four had come to the center in a last effort to see if there was any way he could feed his family that day. He wasn't even thinking of a holiday meal; they were hungry for any food. She said they both cried tears of thanks for this wonderful meal.
Christmas is coming................................
DARLENE
IN OUR town we have what is called a HELP CENTER.
AT
DARLENE
PUSHED wrong button
well any way at this place people can get help with rent--phone bill----electric bill---and food.
the center also has an other building that has clothes and
furinture. this is to help if people lose the home to fire
and tornato.
a lot of the chruches in the area help the center by
donating items.
dgrimm60
Those kind of centers are very important, especially during holidays. They are a blessing and the salvation of many who can't support themselves.
In our area the Salvation Army and Central Mininite Committee are very strong. Infact our SDA Church supports the Salvation Army instead of our own Community Services because they were established first and continue to do a great work. We also support the Food Bank which also does a great work.
So, yes, these places are very valueable.
Another idea we could all use: Birthday Kindnesses
Before it's inflated, slip a message in a helium balloon, saying something like this: "Your presence in my life fills me with joy, stonstantly lifting my spirits."
Hire someone from your local high school music department to serenade your loved one with the happy birthday song or music significant to the birthday prson. Hire the whole marching band! Have them march down the street right up to the front door playing "Happy Birthday to You!"
Send a week's worth of birthday cards. If it is a significant birthday, such as their 16th, send your special teenager one card for each year commemorating the significance of their right of passage.
Draw a hot, soothing bath for your loved one, and light some candles near the tub. Include a note that says, "Happy birthday. No one holds a candle to you!"
Coupons are always fun and affordable. Some examples: "Good for one wash and was of your car"; "Good for servicing your bike"; Good for your laundry, done with care;" and "Good for the service of your choice, performed with a good attitude."
Take continuous computer paper (the kind that connects together. Do they make it anymore?) and list the birthday person's name at the top. Write this statement under their name, "I love you more than all the chocolate in the candy shop, more than all the stars in the sky, more than all the fish in the sea," etc. Leave a box of felt-tip pens nearby so that other loved ones can work on it. Then wrap the birthday present in the colorful graffiti paper you've created.
Birthday Letter to Friends From Friends
There are certain birthdays in our lives that require special celebrations. One of the ones was a woman's daughter's 16th birthday.
The mother wrote a special letter to all of her daughter's friends, special family members and significant others. In the letter, she asked them to write a letter in return, sharing words of wisdom; a quote to remember, a good book to read, a favorite joke, an affirmation. She held a birthday party and presented her daughter with an album of all their wonderful letters. It was a treasure beyond her wildest dreams. Her daughter and her friends had a great time poring over the letters, languishing in tears or bursting into laughter at each one.
I was to touched by this act of kindness that I made it a point to adapt it for other members of my family and friends.
Here is an example of a letter of request:
Dear ___________________
Anne is turning the big 40 this year. Her family and I are planning a little surprise get-togther to help celebrate this momentous occasion and we'd love to invite you to join us.
I am enclosing a special birthday eltter that I would appreciate your filling out for Anne. Just fill in the blanks with good wishes and humor or be creative and "do your own thing." I am making a covered birthday album to put them all in. Please remember this is not a graded activity. Simply share yourself and your heart-to-heart connection with Anne on paper. She'll adore anything this special from you. Include a picture if you can. If you aren't able to attend the party just slip the birthday letter in the self-addressed envelope and let me know you won't be attending.
This time of year is when a lot of people do their giving. It's not a bad time of year to give either. But.......shouldn't we do it all year long, not just at Christmas?
DARLENE
YES A lot of people do give at this time of year
and YES as christians especially S.D.A. christians we
should give all year round. that is what is so wonderful
about the A.D.R.A. program. also this is the biblical
way of doing it.
dgrimm60