February 2 – Not So Random Acts of Kindness

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:1-7

 

We’re saved, not on the basis of deeds we have done, but by the mercy of Jesus. When we’re saved, then we want to do kind things for others. Random Acts of Kindness. Random acts are really not really accidental actions…most need to be planned and purposeful. You may not be “saving” people from their sins, as Jesus did, but mercifully offering kind deeds will make a difference in the lives of those for whom you care. There is a Random Acts of Kindness Week February 11-17, 2013. Check out the website http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas for ideas on how you can help others in deliberate ways. Don’t wait until that week in February to show kindness to others around you. There are hundreds of ideas on that site. Here are some of the ideas that I gleaned:

·         Help someone for free

·         Cook a healthy meal for another family

·         Hold the door open for someone

·         Let someone go in front of you in line

·         Make blankets for the homeless

·         Mentor an at-risk child or teen

·         Pay the tab or toll for the person behind you

·         Read to a child (volunteer at a nearby school)

·         Read to the elderly

·         Return a shopping cart

·         Take a Thank-You to your police or fire department

·         Write a letter so someone who made a difference in your life.

·         Call or visit someone who is sick

·         Clean up graffiti

·         Donate used books to a library

·         Pick up trash

·         Pick up your toys

·         Adopt a soldier

·         Send flowers

·         Bake someone a pie

The list goes on. Jesus would have done these…and more. What will you do today…this week? 

Training Tip – Teach your children about Random Acts of Kindness. Help them choose acts of kindness that they can do at home, school and in your neighborhood. 

 

Lord – You were a truly kind person…not just random acts, but intentional. Help us to wisely choose ways that we can show your kindness to others.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.