A Season of Giving

We are in a beautiful season.  Christmas, the season of giving.  Of course, we know that we should always have a heart of giving, but this time of year we tend to focus on giving a little more.

Nehemiah said, "go and enjoy choice good and 

sweet drinks and send some to those who have nothing 

prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve 

for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Nehemiah 8:10

The Word of God tells us to share with those who do not have.  As I read this verse this morning God spoke to my heart.  So often I complain that I am without this or that.  Or I struggle to pay bills.  I complain, I act like I am without, but the truth is, I am so very, very blessed.  God has greatly blessed my family.  We may not always have a three course meal, but we always have food.  My car may not be brand new, but I have a car.  My house may not be fancy, but I have a home.  God has greatly blessed me, how can I not share?

God may be calling us to give a meal to the family down the street.  Pay for gas for the car next to us at the station.  Pay for the car behind us in the drive thru.  Last year our church did random acts of kindness and one group went to a gas station to pay for someone's gas and the lady said through tears that she was putting her very last twenty dollars into her tank and had no idea when more money was coming in.  After the random act of kindness, she was able to use her twenty dollars for food.  A couple of years ago, I paid for the car behind me in the drive thru and I always try to drive off before I am 'caught' but this time the restaurant was a little slow and I caught a glimpse of the confused woman as she laid her head in her hands and cried.  I do not know her circumstances but I do know that God touched her that day.

What can you do to bless someone?  Can you send a card or meal to the widow or single mom?  Can you buy blankets for a family you know is in need?  Are you in the position to pay the utility bill for a family struggling to keep the utilities on?  Can you invite the lonely widower from down the block over for a family dinner in your home?

There are so many things we can do to share and bless others.  What will you do?

Sweet Blessings~

Linking with:

Into The Beautiful 

Titus Tuesday  

On Your Heart Tuesday 

Soli Deo Gloria

Teach Me Tuesday

Hear it on Sunday, Use it On Monday

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Legacy of Kindness

Yesterday I heard something on the radio that has had me thinking ever since.  The DJ said something to the effect of, "Kindness is so rare these days that when someone really is kind, it shocks everyone."  I stopped to think about it and it's true.  When I am going into a store and a man is coming out and actually holds the door open, I am shocked.  When I am going through McDonald's  (I love their sweet tea) drive thru double lanes -which by the way is a crazy idea, one lane is fine- and watch as two lanes fight to see who is going to merge over to the one lane first, I am not shocked.  

I have come to expect rudeness and I am shocked at kindness.  That is backwards thinking.

It hasn't always been like this.  I have seen enough older shows (Andy Griffith, etc) and heard enough true life stories that years ago rudeness was not accepted.  If a child was disrespectful it was taken care of as soon as possible.  Now we just assume kids will be disrespectful and ignore it.  Over the years kindness has been lost.  I am not saying everyone in the world is rude.  But we all are at some point I am sure.

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

"Be kind and compassionate to one another..."

Ephesians 4:32

God tells us in His Word to be kind.  We need to bring kindness back.  We need to teach our kids to be kind.  How can we do this?

• When driving, let a car in front if the have their blinker on.
• Wave to say 'thank you' when someone lets you in front as you drive.
• Don't be afraid to give up a good parking spot if you see a pregnant mom or someone who could use the closer spot.
• Hold doors for others.  Though it is chivalrousness when a man does it, women can hold doors too.
• Say 'please' often.
• Say 'thank you' often.
• Say 'I'm sorry' often.
• Share and teach our children to share.
• Don't fight to be first in line at a store, drive thru or gas pump.  My husband loves the story about the 'head table' and we refer to it often in our home.  The first shall be last and the last shall be first.
• If you are getting up to go to the kitchen, ask if anyone needs anything while you are in there.
• Serve without expectations.
• Do at least one extra big kind deed a day.  For example, take the trash cans from the house to the curb for a neighbor, pay for the order behind you in line at the drive thru, or buy coffee for someone.

These are just a few ideas to be kind and to teach our children how to be kind.  I want my kids to be kind and to teach their children kindness, so it must start with me.  I am going to strive to be kind and leave my kids with a legacy of kindness.  Are you with me?

What are other ways you will show kindness?

Sweet Blessings~

Linking with:

Legacy Leaver Thursday

Life In Bloom

Thought Provoking Thursday  

Grace Café 

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Doing Good

I have talked about this a lot lately.  Not just at Sweet Blessings, but with family, friends and church.  But I really believe God is calling us out to do good.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Our good deeds and kind words touch people.  We may never see the end result of our actions but every time we do something for someone, we are planting a seed, we are showing the love of God.

Yesterday I had to run to the store and while standing in the check out lane I smelled something really good.  It was the cashier.  She had on a lovely perfume.  So I gave her a very small compliment.  I really didn't think anything of it, I was just stating my opinion.  Her response was, "Thank you, but I don't feel so good."  I could see God opening a door.  I asked what was wrong and we chatted for a moment.  I promised to pray for her and even wrote down her request and name, and I have prayed several times for her.  I may or may not ever see her again.  I may never know if she is healed.  But, by the tears in her eyes, I do know she was touched and a seed was planted.

People everywhere are hurting.  As Christians, we are to be a light in this dark and hurting world.  Our positive attitudes, kind words and random acts of kindness offer that Light.

What have you done today to shine the Light of Christ on someone?  What will you do?

Sweet Blessings~

I Want To Live By Andy Griffith

How was your holiday?  I pray you had a wonderful weekend!  We spent the day with the family grilling, swimming and just having fun.  Then later we took our kids to Fort Leavenworth for a great firework display.  It was an incredible weekend.

As we were leaving the Fort last night, I told my husband how much I loved the Fort.  It is always so clean and pretty.  The lake and parks are always well manicured.  Everything you could need is at the Fort and most of it in walking distance.  The military families there never have to leave base if they don't want to.  Everything is right there.  It is a great community.  And, oh, the history!  I love it!  Now don't get me wrong, I know that military bases can have their fair share of problems.  But it really seems like a close knit community.  Everyone there has a common purpose.

As we continued our drive home I thought about where I live.  Most people take care of their lawns, but not all.  I am not within walking distance of anything except a small park.  And I do not know my neighbors at all. 

I can't change how my neighbors care for their property.  I can't move stores and such closer to me.  But I can change my relationship, or lack thereof, with my neighbors.  I can make our community a little better.  

How?

My actions.  My attitude.  My prayers.

I can wave at my neighbors.  Do random acts of kindness for them.  Hold them in prayer.  Or stop by and say hi when they are outside.  

I have always envied the Andy Griffith or Leave It To Beaver way of life when it comes to community.  But I don't have to because if I try, I can have it too.  

I want to challenge you.  Whether you know your neighbors or not.  This week make a special point to make a connection with one neighbor you do not know.  Take baked goods over and just say hi or invite them over for coffee or help with their lawn.  Do something to connect with them.  And always smile and wave as you are walking or driving by.   

Have a wonderful week friends!

Sweet Blessings~