You, my friend, are a valuable instrument and have the power to impact God’s kingdom for the better daily!
Do you believe that deep in your heart?
Seeking God in the little things and sharing those things with others is such an honor and in turn blesses our own lives at the same time!
We do not all have the gift of encouragement, but we can ALL encourage one another in simple, little ways on this journey of life while on this earth.
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One day, early on, in my new position at a new building at my workplace, as I was passing one of the cubicles, these two signs caught my attention:
(Maya Angelou)
KINDNESS MATTERS!
(Well, that one wasn’t one of them but a truth that fits right in.)
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I think it is worth a few moments of our time to reflect on the truth of these sayings and think how we might better live them out daily.
Thinking of the practical things we can do might even be worthy of another challenge for this week…if you are up for it!
BE THE REASON SOMEONE SMILES TODAY
Could you try making ONE person a day SMILE? That is easy enough, right? We can all do that!
And, I bet, if you start consciously thinking about it with one person, you just might want to keep the smiles going….it might be contagious!
Photo credit by BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
What are some practical ways you can make someone SMILE?
Some things that come to my mind are…..
…giving a genuine compliment to someone..it could be about their physical appearance, but maybe something you appreciate about their character would make them smile too…
…making eye contact with someone you are passing in the hall, and smiling at them as you say “hello” just might make them smile too…
As a side note, it has been a blessing to me to experience this in my new building at work this year. I am in a building full of people, coming from an office of four. It has warmed my heart to see more people who will say hello and smile at me in the hallways. It sure does make a difference!
…maybe you will be inspired to send a friend a text to wish them a great week….at work, I always try to end my emails with a sincere “Have a great day!”
…maybe passing along some special verses/jokes to some friends to help inspire their day will make them smile too.
…taking time to check in on an elderly or sick neighbor might bring a smile to their face.
…surprise that person by buying their coffee or meal.
…take time to listen and understand someone.
Photo credit by BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Aren’t all the above examples really showing how much KINDNESS MATTERS? In all those actions we are extending kindness to others. It kind of reminds me of Jesus’ example on this earth…showing love and kindness to those He encountered.
I encourage you to reach out to others and be a blessing by showing KINDNESS. Even if the kindness is not reciprocated in the same way, you can feel good about knowing you did your part to try to bless another and share the love of God with them.
Photo credit by BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Both of the above sayings actually lead right into the next truth….
People may forget what you said or what you did, but not how you made them FEEL.
Ultimately, it is about making people FEEL…
…special,
…important,
…valued,
…respected
…and loved!
Those are the things that really matter. We are all made in God’s image!!
Every day is a new day to go and impact the world in which we live! Daily strive to make it a better place…for at least one person!
At the beginning of my thoughts, I mentioned a challenge for this week.
Would you make me SMILE, and show a little KINDNESS to me by sharing how you might brighten the world for someone today? It just might make me FEEL special and loved!
Just leave a comment in the section below.
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I will leave you to ponder these thoughts:
Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. –Mother Teresa
The smallest acts of kindness, make the biggest differences in someone’s life.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. –Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Christine, your writing made me smile today 😇
Aww…Thanks! Then I guess you’re the one I made smile today! 🙂 I hope you didn’t have a Dr. appt at this hour! 🙂 Blessings, my friend….thanks for reading and blessing me.
Kindness! Reminds me of Tim McGraws song “Humble and Kind”. Everything in that song is all I hope for Jaylin and Kaitlin.
Extending Christ’s love to the brokenhearted and even those we call “unworthy” often are the ones that need it the most even when it’s the most difficult for us to reach out to. You never know what someone is going through but we all can pray them through it!
Just last night I asked Jaylin to go pick out 5 things in her room to give away to a little girl and she brings me 4 toys and Third Days “Lead us Back” cd… she said that way she can play and learn who Jesus is.
At 5 yrs old, she wanted to extend Christs love to someone she hasnt even met, extending her kindness! Before this she had given away her snacks at school to a child that didnt have any.
Teach them young is all Ive ever heard, this is so true!
“Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to CHRIST.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)
Be humble, be kind! Christ first!
Thanks so much for sharing, Lisa! What a blessing and great example your daughter is to showing kindness at such a young age. Blessings to you and your family!
Christine – you are such a good example of someone who quietly (and often behind the scenes) shows kindness through the little things you do. Sometimes you don’t even take any credit and just serve in small ways by being there in peoples’ times of need. I am sure sometimes the things you do go unnoticed – but I don’t think that ever stops you…from being the hands and feet of Christ. Isn’t that what we should all strive to be to others?
Did I make you smile? 🙂
You sure did make me smile, Carol. 🙂 What sweet words of encouragement you shared to brighten my day. Your friendship and love is a great gift that I am blessed with. God bless!