Random Acts of Kindness

I love when humanity shows us how good it can be.  I do believe that simple random acts of kindness gives as much joy to the giver as it does to the receiver.  I admire people that follow through with kindness.  Let me explain. I have great ideas for surprising people, or sending a quick note, and then I realize it has been three weeks and it is still an idea.  I love that people have great ideas and follow through on them.  I wanted to share two random acts of kindness that I received just last week. 

When we moved into our house we found a talented man who helped us install shelving, create a massive desk in our living room, and also created some built-ins.  He is a fireman who does this type of work on the side.  He makes some wonderful pieces and you can tell that this side job brings him joy.  This past week I saw a new shelf unit that he built for a client and I commented on the picture, “I need that.”  I had plans on contacting him to order one, but to my surprise I got a message back from him that said, “I put something on your porch this morning.”  It was the shelf.  It even still had the fresh scent of stain.  I can’t wait to hang it in our master bathroom!!!  This gift just made me smile all day! It really brought pure joy!

Then on Friday I opened the mail and received a gift from my grandfather.  My grandfather passed away in 1995.  He was a EUB/United Methodist pastor and I never had the opportunity to share my calling story with him.  I got a cross necklace that he often wore, and just as priceless, a note from his good friend saying that my grandparents would be so proud of me. 

This past week I was given the gift of kindness.  I am so grateful for both of these men, who are not in my inner circle of friends nor are they family, but they did take the time to be kind and it made my soul happy!

This week take time to be kind. You don’t have to make a shelf or mail a family treasure to someone.  Sometimes all it takes is a smile or a simple note to say you are thinking about them.  Random acts of kindness bring such joy. This week kind actions of others changes my perspective on everything.  Life was a little sweeter this past week.  This weeks bring me to the words of Paul to the Galatians in Galatians 5:16-26:

The Works of the Flesh/The Fruit of the Spirit

16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy,drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.