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Who Needs an Act of Kindness?

Jeannie Waters4 Comments on Who Needs an Act of Kindness?

“Really? Is Laura really coming to stay with me for the summer? Oh, that’s wonderful!” my mom said.

My niece, Laura, decided to spend six weeks with her grandmother between nursing school graduation and the start date for her new job.

Mema, as she was called by grandchildren, experienced health issues that rendered her unable to cook, drive, and shop. Usually not one to be discouraged, she grew lonely at times. Can you imagine the joy of discovering that a beloved granddaughter would be coming for a long visit?

Laura’s nursing training and culinary skills were beneficial during her stay, but the best medicines she offered were lovingkindness and companionship sprinkled with joy and laughter. She planned weekly movie and pizza nights. They played games and watched the wildlife that inhabited my mom’s rural property.

While they visited, Laura cut and arranged squares for a quilt and asked Mama’s opinion about colors and patterns. Watching the progression of the quilting process and offering suggestions filled my mom with delight as once again she could help and encourage someone else. (Thank you, Laura, for loving her well.)

Grandmother and granddaughter reminisced over old family photos and retold favorite stories. I know my mom went to sleep each night with a smile on her face. A sweet act of kindness by this granddaughter—a six-week venture requiring forfeiture of beach days with friends—was a valued gift.

Jesus told a parable about a man whose acts of kindness were costly. The Samaritan’s sacrifice required time and money as he ministered to a man who was beaten by robbers and left on the roadside. The kind helper bandaged the victim’s wounds, transported him to an inn, and provided money for his care (Luke 10:25-37). Acts of kindness in this case required the Samaritan to interrupt his travel plans to minister to another person. Jesus encouraged His listeners,

 You go, and do likewise.

                                                                             –Luke 10:37

He also taught,

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

                                                                         –Mark 12:31

Extending kindness does not always require significant expenditures of time and money. Actions needing little-to-no resources can be equally valuable to the recipient. A simple smile and acknowledgment of one’s presence or accomplishment can brighten someone’s day.

Weekly, there are opportunities to love our neighbors—people we encounter at various places—by performing acts of kindness. Here are examples I’ve observed:

  • picking up a grocery order for an elderly lady
  • opening a store early to fit a wig for a chemo patient
  • preparing a holiday meal for a patient with no family nearby
  • performing free handyman services for a single mom
  • opening a door for a person using a walker
  • driving a neighbor to physical therapy
  • welcoming a church visitor and offering them a seat
  • providing a tour of the town to a young woman from another country
  • baking blueberry muffins for a shut-in
  • shipping diapers to a young family
  • sharing garden produce with a neighbor

An act of kindness is a treasure passed from one person to another. The recipient may be a stranger or a dear friend, and the act may be small or large in monetary value or time commitment, but the result is a blessing. What treasures of kindness can you share?

The Kindness Challenge

Step One: Pray and ask God to place a person or persons on your heart who need an act of kindness this week.

Step Two: Watch for opportunities at home, at work, or wherever you are.

Step Three: Share in the comments below some examples of acts of kindness. Have you been the grateful recipient of one?

An act of kindness touches two hearts—the recipient’s and the giver’s.

Let’s strive to be the kind of neighbor Jesus commended.

Is Your Heart Dressed for Easter?

Jeannie Waters10 Comments on Is Your Heart Dressed for Easter?

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Easter Memories

During my eighth year, Easter came early with its chilly temps, but I insisted on wearing my new sleeveless dress to Sunday School. My mom purchased a soft white sweater with tiny pearl buttons to make that feasible. Accessories completed the ensemble–white gloves, a flowery headband, white ruffled socks, white patent leather shoes, and a purse shaped like a closed parasol. Dressed in my Easter finery, I posed for pictures and felt ready for the holiday.

Dressing Up

Fashions have changed since that childhood Easter experience, but there are still occasions when we expend extra time and effort to look our best. There are places that require a certain dress code, and occasionally, it’s just fun to dress up.

Although paying attention to our outward appearance is necessary, the Bible teaches that God is more concerned with our hearts than our outward appearance.

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

                                                                                                                                        –1 Samuel 16:7b ESV

Dressing the Heart

What should the condition of our heart be this Easter? How can we “dress” our heart to honor the Lord?  In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul addresses Christians when he writes,

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV

Have you ever tried to “put on” some of these qualities by your own determination? I have, and at best, I’d last a day or two attempting to be more patient and more forgiving, for example. When my energy or awareness of my attitude waned, I was back to square one, repenting and trying again. Human strength falters in the character renovation process.

Once a person becomes a Christ follower, God makes that person more like Him. He does the changing as we yield to His work in our lives. Our part is to seek and obey Him.

What is the encouraging message in this post? We don’t need fancy clothes or even perfect behavior to please God. Once we’ve accepted Him as Savior, He transforms us and teaches us so that we can “put off” old behavior and “put on” the qualities listed above. Our hearts will be “dressed” for Easter and every day.

Is Your Heart Dressed for Easter? Share on X

A Message from My Heart

If you have never invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life, turning from your ways and accepting His, I would urge you to do so. After attending church all my life, during my senior year in high school, I realized I knew about God but did not know Him personally.

I asked God to forgive me for my sin, turned from my sinful ways, and accepted what He did on Calvary to pay for my sin. Then, I asked Him to come into my heart to be my Savior and Lord. That’s when I became a Christian, a person with Jesus Christ living inside. (If you want to know more, read: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 4:12, John 3:16, and John 14:6.)

Now, I have not only the promise of eternal life in heaven but also the joy of walking with Him each day, accepting His wisdom, love, peace, and the abundant life He promised. Besides these blessings, I’m grateful that He’s teaching me to “put on” Christ-like characteristics on Easter and every other day.

Please share your greatest joy in knowing Christ.

Have an Easter full of celebration and joy!

Which Gifts Are on Your Table?

Jeannie Waters10 Comments on Which Gifts Are on Your Table?

 

This Gift of the Month idea is a little different. I hope you’ll enjoy unwrapping it.

Gift Selection

For our family birthdays, the coffee table is the focal point with its stack of festive gift-wrapped packages for whichever boy or girl we are celebrating. As per our tradition, when our son and daughter-in-law’s children celebrate birthdays, the four grandparents reimburse our children for the gifts they purchase on our behalf. Then we all enjoy watching the honored child open presents from the family. What a joyous time with hugs and expressions of gratitude!

Throughout the year, our daughter-in-law carefully notes admired toys and considers the children’s needs. This process ensures the gifts will be both delightful to the children and appropriate.

Our grandchildren’s mom spends more time with them than anyone else, and she knows their preferences, needs, and sizes. Therefore, the gifts, some needed and some desired, are well-chosen. Wished-for gifts that are unsafe or unwise never make it to the coffee table.

How does this gift-giving compare to God’s provision?

Our heavenly Father also provides gifts for His children.

Living under the stars in a pasture with sheep, David praised God as His Provider. If I’d been with David, I think I would have asked to live in a palace instead of on rocky hillsides with smelly sheep. In contrast, David, expressed gratitude for the table prepared before him. According to Phillip Keller in A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23*, the table David referred to could have been high plateaus or mesas the shepherd prepared for their sheep before allowing them to graze there. What a fitting picture of Jesus, our Shepherd, preparing provisions for us each day.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

            –Psalm 23:5

God knows us better than anyone else and sees what delights us and what we need. As our good heavenly Father, He prepares His gifts wisely. Some of them may not be of our choosing, but we can trust Him as the Giver of good gifts. By the same token, some of the things we long for may be omitted because He knows the future and His sovereign plan.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

        –James 1:17

A Beneficial Morning Practice

I’ve started a new practice during my morning routine. I often draw a table at the top of my journal page and thank God for the provisions He’s placed on my “table.” Then I think about my needs for the day. (Of course, my heavenly Father is the only One who knows everything I’ll need.) I ask Him to provide and thank Him for His love.

Maybe I need a deeper understanding of a passage of Scripture or a more thankful heart. Perhaps He will gift me with an extra measure of peace for a brewing storm that is yet unseen to me. Will He provide comfort so that I can comfort someone else?

If we are Christ-followers, some of His gifts are ours to embrace at any time. When we yield to God, the fruit of the Spirit is ours to enjoy and share with those we meet.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

            –Galatians 5:22

Other needs may seem mundane in comparison and some may be temporary.  What about time to relax or skill to prepare an entrée? The gift of laughter is a welcomed relief in trying moments. Our heavenly Father may even provide safety in dangers we cannot foresee.

Do You Need These?

It’s interesting to ponder the needs we may encounter in one twenty-four-hour period. What about these?

  • an opportunity to minister to someone
  • mercy for someone who made a mistake
  • forgiveness for someone who has wronged us
  • ability to care for a child or senior adult
  • conviction of sin (Ouch!) Not pleasant, but necessary.

What About These?

  • a delicate flower or dramatic sunset to remind us of the Creator
  • relief from suffering or grace to endure it
  • contentment (Anybody?)
  • discernment in a difficult situation
  • guidance for a decision

A Friendly Challenge

As we consider the gifts God daily places on our “coffee table,” I have a challenge for you, dear reader friend.

On paper or on your computer, make two columns. In the left-hand column, list the needs you had today and those you can predict for tomorrow. Ask God to make you aware of how He met each one as they occurred. In the right-hand column, jot down the way He met the need. (Pardon the specific instructions; it’s the teacher in me.)

Then, answer these questions:

  1. Which gifts did you know you needed ahead of time? Which were surprises?
  1. Which needs still appear to be unmet? (Continue praying about those, realizing God may respond in a way that seems unlikely or unwelcome at first.)
  1. How were His provisions tailor-made for your situations?
  1. What made you rejoice today?

I plan to accept the challenge, too. When we review the final list, I believe praise and thanksgiving for the Gift Giver will pour from our hearts. I feel as excited as my grandchildren on their birthdays, eager to tear the ribbon from presents God selects for me! What about you?

Please share results from this challenge. Your input is valuable.

Whether your gifts seem small or large, sharing them allows you to encourage us. What has God placed on your gift table?

*Keller, W. Phillip. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1970.

Blessings Abound

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I learned an unexpected lesson while walking in my yard admiring the beauty of spring.

Our snowball bush is a profuse bloomer this year. Its huge white, ball-shaped flowers demand attention. There are so many blooms, I can’t imagine one more fitting onto the branches. This glorious shrub reminds me of God’s blessings—bountiful and perfectly selected for us. His provisions shout out His love to us when we pay attention. I wonder how many times I miss them and how many times I notice but forget to express gratitude.

Heavenly Father, lift my chin to notice the numerous ways You bless me. Thank You for the beauty of spring and eyes to see it.

At the foot of the snowball, two spirea bushes grow. As a child, I named these plants “Bride’s Bouquet” because they bloom with small clumps of tiny white flowers. These decorative shrubs are graceful and add a delicate, lacy touch to the spring parade. God’s blessings also delight us, adding beauty and grace to our lives and preparing us to serve others. I wonder how many opportunities I miss to share these God-given gifts.

Father God, remind me that blessings are not mine to tuck away and admire. Rather, they are designed to appreciate and share with those You place in my path. Make me a worthy steward of Your gifts.

 After admiring the large shrubs, I wandered around the yard and noticed weeds and wildflowers peeping through the grass. They, too, reminded me of God’s work in our lives.

The onion grass and its characteristic smell pepper the lawn with light green stems and white flowers. “Weeds are a nuisance,” I thought. Upon closer examination, I observed pretty, delicate little flowers heralding a new season. Instead of characterizing onion grass as a pest, I appreciated it as a unique sign of spring and another of God’s creations. Do I look for the good in everything or am I too quick to complain?

 Dear God, remind me to thank You in all things. You give only good gifts.

The next wildflowers I spotted impressed me with their royal color and dramatic shape. They stood in sharp contrast to the surrounding grass and urged me to take a closer look. Although their appearance was stunning, I’d almost missed them. I wonder if I ignore people in my path whose lives would enrich mine or vice versa.

Heavenly Father, slow me down when I’m too busy to notice the people You send to teach me and the people You plan for me to serve. Use me to encourage someone today.

As I studied other wildflowers through the lens of my camera, I realized they would disappear as soon as my husband cuts the grass. They would only provide colorful accessories to spring’s fashion show for only a few more days. How I wished they could stay. Some blessings are fleeting—ours to enjoy for only a brief time. A sunrise. A sunset. A new acquaintance. An opportunity to share the blessings of Christ Jesus.

Lord Jesus, let me fix my gaze on You each morning so that I notice and embrace all of the gifts You prepare. May I not miss a single opportunity to share Your love with others.

 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

                                                                                                             –James 1:17 ESV

Is God’s creation reminding you of blessings? Please tell us about those you’ve received or shared recently.

Pollen and Other Irritants

Jeannie Waters16 Comments on Pollen and Other Irritants

 ACHOO! It’s that time of year.

“This pollen is driving me crazy,” is the lament of many allergy sufferers each spring. The pollen seems to catch a breeze in the tops of tall pine trees and soar down into the nasal passages and eyes of its victims causing coughing, sneezing, sore throats, and swollen eyes.

Then a spring shower pops up and rinses the yellow invader from the trees, cars, and sidewalks, leaving the once powdery air crisp and clean.  “Ah. I can breathe at last,” sigh relieved souls as they welcome a reprieve from the yellow clouds that once covered the landscape. However, joy is often short-lived.

Alas, a few days later the boughs of oak trees sport their newly-formed grains of yellow dust and share them with unsuspecting folks each time the wind blows. Here we go again—grasses, flowers, shrubs, and all the beauties that grace the fashion runways of the season sport the same dusty yellow garments.

The cycle continues. Although we are grateful for the way God renews the earth and provides for plant growth, we are happy when pollen sufferers can breathe freely again.

The pollen reminds me of other irritations and pet peeves that threaten to spread misery in our environment. Have you faced any of these?

  • a driver holding up a long line of traffic trying to turn left at a busy intersection during rush hour
  • co-workers who complain and fail to carry their load
  • appliances that break
  • obnoxious sales calls
  • a friend who is always late
  • lost items you put in a “special” place
  • a recording that insists you press five numbers for the help you need

Have you noticed that once we pay attention to the irritants, they become more irritating? And then, more of them seem to invade our day. Focusing on the nuisances seems to make them multiply like dirty socks in the laundry.

Going outside with my contact lens magnifies the discomfort of pollen for me as the grainy bits sometimes lodge under the lens and require immediate cleansing. However, when I remember to wear my sunglasses, they block some of the pollen from bothering my eyes.

How can we block the ill effects of life’s daily challenges that surround us? Is it possible to ignore some pet peeves? Consider these two ways:

  1. Start the day with Bible reading and prayer to set the tone. Irritants are still as prevalent as the yellow dust outside but focusing on God minimizes the problems.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

                                                                                                      Isaiah 26:3

  1. Filling our minds with good thoughts and the promises of God, reduces the capacity of our minds to dwell on problems. Challenges are real and some require action on our part. However, noticing and dwelling on them are two separate issues. I sometimes dwell on the negatives, forgetting to focus on good thoughts. This verse helps me realign my focus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

                                                                                                              Philippians 4:8

Maybe the pollen will remind us of how we deal with the irritants of life. I hope the verses above encourage us and remind us to share the peace of Christ with others.

How do you stay focused and peaceful when daily irritants swirl around you?

Bible verses are from the English Standard Version.