Over this year’s 40 days of Lent, we invite you to a very special way of observing the season. Instead of giving something up (fasting)-or, in addition to giving something up-take something on! Specifically, we ask you to commit a random act of kindness each day.
Of course, because we are who we are as followers of Jesus, kindness is ingrained in our psyches. It’s who we are called to be … and who we are! The invitation, then, is really to be deliberate in adding one additional act of kindness in your day. Expand your kindness horizon! It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A kind word to a stranger, forgiveness offered to a friend, paying for the person behind you in a coffee shop, the smallest gesture can leave the biggest impact on someone and turn their day around.
Below are some suggestions for you to consider. Our hope is that you expand on the list-and tell us about it! How wonderful it would be to have kindness stories to tell in next month’s newsletter!
One caution. Don’t overthink your act of kindness. Even the simplest things can make
1. Smile at everyone, it’s contagious
2. Send up popcorn prayers for 10 people you encounter.
3. Make eye contact with workers and thank them.
4. Write a kind or encouraging message on a napkin.
5. Take the time to appreciate the sunrise and sunset.
6. Tell someone how much you love them.
7. Send a postcard to a friend.
8. Leave a small gift on someone’s doorstep.
9. Hold the door open for someone.
10. Do a chore for someone without them knowing.
11. Return someone’s cart at the store.
12. Leave a friendly note in a library book.
13. Feed the birds or squirrels.
14. Pick up litter around your block.
15. Let someone go ahead of you in line.
16. Compliment a stranger, friend or family member.
17. Write a thank you note for your mail carrier.
18. Plant something.
19. Bake dessert for a neighbor.
20. Check in on an elderly neighbor.
21. Set the table for dinner.
22. Tell someone why they are special to you.
23. Write a letter to a friend/family member instead of a text.
24. Buy a coffee for a stranger.
25. Talk to someone new.
26. Write chalk messages on the sidewalk.
27. Tell a manager how good your waiter or clerk was.
28. Read a book to someone.
29. Make a thank you for sanitation workers.
30. Make a get well card for someone.
31. Bring your neighbors’ garbage cans in for them.
32. Buy extra school supplies for a teacher.
33. Offer to help someone unload groceries at the store.
34. Make a homemade gift for someone.
35. Dry the slides at the park with a towel after it rains.
36. Give someone a hug.
37. Pay the toll for the person behind you.
38. Help someone take a photo.
39. Take time to give someone who looks lost directions.
40. Carry a $5 gift card with you and give it to someone randomly.
41. Let someone else get seated before you at a busy restaurant.
42. Leave your waiter a generous tip. 43. Hold the elevator for someone.
44. Be kind to yourself!
Beach Street Church - FPC Daytona 