random acts of kindness.

I have a fun idea for this Valentines Week! Our Pastor spoke a few weeks ago about random acts of kindness and then today on Matthew 6:1-8. The passage and sermon was on giving to the needy because its the right thing to do and to pray in your closet because we pray to talk to God and not for the attention of others. I find my self doing things for the praise of it rather than truly out of the kindness of my own heart.

I want to challenge you to do at least one RAK (Random Act of Kindness) each day this week! I have found some fun ideas such as putting a dollar in a vending machine and then taping the note to the front, putting a quarter in one of the kiddie toy or candy machines, paying for the person behind you in a drive thru. But there are also tons of things that don't require money and you may not be able to leave a note for and thats ok too! Such as saying hello with a smile as you pass someone that looks like they need a pick me up, holding the door open, offering a few hours of free babysitting to a mom in need, and the list goes on!

Here's the challenge! Print off the cards at the bottom of the post and go and be kind! BUT... please come back and leave comments on how you did it! I can't wait to hear! I'll compile all of the ideas together and share them in a post!

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:1-4 ESV

These will download as a JPG so you can just add it in to a document and adjust the size and print!

how are you? i'm good.

I was walking through the hall this afternoon and ran in to one of our substitutes. She is such a sweet lady and I've always enjoyed visiting with her. When we were passing each other quickly we both said "Hey, how are ya?" in unison, then both replied, "I'm good," in unison... As happy as I am to know that she was "good" I think its sad that this is how our society interacts and greets. Obviously, we were both in a hurry and going different directions but I really feel like we all just assume that when we are asked "how are ya?" that the expected response is, "good." Maybe this doesn't really make sense, the words definitely aren't coming to me today but I've thought about it all afternoon. Honestly, I had just heard some really exciting news about 10 minutes before that so I was really excited but at the same time I was bummed about other things, my mind was distracted with other thoughts. So here's a challenge: This week, ask people how they are in a different way and with intentions! Or... if someone asks you then tell them the truth! Yea, some people may think you're crazy and really not be interested but they did ask how you were, right?

Hope you all have a wonderful week! I had an absolutely wonderful weekend and will be posting pictures from my new camera soon! :)

Be a blessing to someone this week!