Random acts of Kindness

We've had a VERY long week this week! Jack woke up Sunday with a fever that lasted 3 days! One of those nights we ended up in the ER for the first time ever with my child gasping for breath! He had a bad case of croup but we are definitely on the upswing now! I know this because Jack was into everything today and talking NONSTOP! Whew...I'm TIRED!

I say all of that to bring up a point I've had on my mind this week in the middle of the madness! Wednesday afternoon I discovered this precious, green bag hanging on my door knob. It was addressed to Jack by his sweet Bible school teacher, Mrs. Mary Lynn. You need to know that Mrs. Mary Lynn is one of the sweetest ladies I believe I have ever met. She speaks in a soft tone...and when she speaks the children LISTEN! I am so thankful she is having an influence on my child's life! Ok....back to the bag....inside the bag was a matchbox car and a note that said she missed Jack and hoped he was better soon so he could come back to Bible class. I know there are many people like Mrs. Mary Lynn out there in the world, but there seems to be fewer and fewer people willing to perform acts of kindness.

I really got to thinking about kindness and the little green bag that showed up on our door step this week and I began to examine myself. Am I LOOKING for opportunities to show other's kindness?? Sadly I began to see a life PACKED full of places to be and things to do. My to do list doesn't often have random act of kindness written down. However, I will say that after I spoke at a ladies day a few weeks ago I have tried to do better and will continue to look for more opportunities.

A beautiful example of a woman of kindess can be found in Acts 9:39-41.

" Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. "

Dorcas is an example of a woman who LOOKED for those she could help. As I read this text a few weeks ago I really began to imagine the sadness these widows experienced when they discovered their Dorcas was dead. It says they stood weeping...I don't imagine that was just a few tears, I see a picture of women mourning the lose of a woman they had grown to love very much. They had the evidence of her good works not only in their hearts and memories but also in their hands! Do we have evidence that we have been kind to others by looking for opportunites to fulfull needs whether they be physical, mental, or spiritual? What would be said of us if we were to pass away today? Would we have evidence that others could show that proved we had been kind to others?

Read Matt. 25:31-46 and ask yourself these questions. Are good works required of me? Is showing others kindness important to our God? Who will others see living in us by our good works?

When is the last time you left a simple green bag on someones porch to find? Are we looking for opportunites to do good unto others, or are we using the excuse "I don't know what they need." I'm challenging each of you that read this to perform two random acts of kindness this week....I'd love to hear how you feel and how your acts affected those around you!

I leave you with one last question...Will it be said of you in the end by our Lord, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."