De-Clutter

Having a cluttered space can keep you distracted and disoriented. As the new year approaches, focus on cleaning up your clutter. Get rid of some things. Having a tidy space not only will make you feel better, but it will clear your mind and put your focus back where it belongs. Plus, it will positively affect your attitude!

Tell Someone About Jesus

While we should live constantly as witnesses for Jesus, the holidays seem to especially lend us opportunity to shine our lights! As you go about the week's activities, be on the lookout for these opportunities, and be sure to take advantage of them - do not let them slip by! Let your faith be on display through your actions as well as through your words. This week, let someone know the reason for the hope that is within you (1 Peter 3:15). 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

Let Them Go First

If you have an opportunity to let someone go ahead of you, take it. 

Kindness is contagious!

Personalize a Card

Pick up a card from the dollar store and write a little "just because" note in it. It makes them feel special if you remember their name. And it's even better if you remember their nickname.

Kindness is contagious!

Publicly Thank Someone

Do not just tell someone in private how much you appreciate him/her or what he/she did; say it in front of others. 

Kindness is contagious!

Reflect & Share

Take time to reflect on how God has provided in the past, both in your life and to His people in the Bible. Share some of your reflections with someone to bring them encouragement and hope and trust Him to provide for you in the future!

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

Kindness is contagious!

Give Your Coworker a Gift

Bonus points if you do it anonymously - and to a coworker who may usually irritate you.

Kindness is contagious!

Be All There

"Wherever you are, be all there!" ~ Jim Elliott

Watch. Listen. Step in and help. Someone needs you. When you find them, just... be there for them. Remove distractions; be all there.

Kindness is contagious!

Be the First to Apologize

Paul says in Romans 12:18: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (New International Version).

Even if you were not the one to start the fight, you can be the first one to end it. Apologizing for whatever you might have said or done wrong, and then striving to do better, helps enable you to "live at peace with everyone." Be an example to friends, family, and co-workers in this area.

Kindness is contagious!

Dust the Ceiling Fans

 Don't wait for someone to put it on your to-do list. Whip out a dust mop and get it done, even if - and especially if - it feels like no one will notice.

Kindness is contagious!

Give a Handmade Gift

There is not much that says "I care" like putting time & effort into a homemade gift - this could be a card, a lavender sachet, soap, carving, or anything else that comes to mind! As long as you made it yourself with lots of love & thought, that is all that matters. Your gift could brighten someone's day, if not their whole week, and bless you too!

Kindness is contagious!

Share a Song

 Is there a song that's been on your mind and heart a lot lately? Share it with someone that you think will appreciate it.

Kindness is contagious!

Pick Some Flowers

Even if it's a weed you found in a ditch, if you found beauty in it, give it to someone that you know will appreciate it.

Kindness is contagious!

Give Your Smile Away

Smile without reserve. It's one gift that you can't run out of, and it doesn't cost anything, either. It's one of the most valuable gifts you have!

Kindness is contagious!

Answer an Old Message

Is there an older email in your inbox, a letter on your desk or a text message you haven't answered? Even if it's been days or weeks or perhaps months, consider responding to it now. That person might need to hear from you right at this moment.

Kindness is contagious!

Do the Laundry

Even if it's not your assigned chore, if you notice the basket is overflowing, take a moment to put in a load. Better still, if you have a sibling or another family member who's been wanting their new clothes washed but haven't had a chance to remove the tags and do a separate load, offer to do it for them.

Kindness is contagious!

Use Your Imagination

Find a child and, with them, make up a story; play cops & robbers; fly to the moon! The possibilities are endless, as will be the smiles.

Kindness is contagious!

Make a Lasagna

There's just something about food that gives comfort. Lasagna is a comfort food for a lot of people. Meatloaf. Or, for me, pot pie.

Be a comfort to someone; take them a lasagna or bake them a pot pie... or your grandma's special chocolate chip cookie recipe. Don't bake? Pick up something from the grocery store.

Kindness is contagious!

Give Up Your Free Time

Nothing quite says "I care" like giving up your sacred spare time to do something with or for someone else. It doesn't have to be much, and it doesn't have to be long. But make it count.

Kindness is contagious!

Sweep the Floor

Don't just avoid stepping on the dirty spots; if the floor needs to be swept, grab the broom and sweep it.

Kindness is contagious!

Use Your Gift

Each of us has been uniquely gifted by God, and He calls us to use our gift(s) to bless others, as Peter points out in 1 Peter 4:10: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." This week, look for an opportunity to do exactly this - use your gift(s) to bless and nurture someone!

Kindness is contagious!

Offer

Offer help to someone without waiting to be asked first. Taking this step will hugely bless both you and the person you're reaching out to!

Kindness is contagious!

Send Emojis

Just because, choose someone (or several someones) from your contact list and send them some Emojis. After all, who doesn't get out a kick out of sending/receiving these tiny yellow faces? 🥰😄😊🤩😁🤣😋😜 Brighten their day!

Kindness is contagious!

Orally Encourage Someone By Your Words

Sometimes it's easier to encourage someone in writing rather than in person (at least, this is how I feel at points). This week, challenge yourself to orally encourage someone by your words. 

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

Kindness is contagious!

Write a Long Email

 Is there someone you haven't contacted lately? Take the time to write a long email and catch up.

Kindness is contagious!

Go Beyond What's Expected of You

It's so easy to simply do the bare minimum when you know that no one expects you to do more. But don’t settle for “less than” when you know God made you for so much more!

Do Something Hard

Philippians 4:13

Whether it’s applying your mind to studying for a difficult exam in school, speaking up for what you know is right, or anything else you may consider hard, try to do it in Christ’s strength.

Buy a Gift

It doesn’t have to be expensive - just meaningful. Put some thought into it.

Kindness is contagious!

Interact With a Child

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3

Whether it’s taking them out for ice cream, building a LEGO tower, or just reading a story over Zoom, get as involved as you can.

Serve

"...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” 

Matthew 20:28

Walk your neighbor’s dog, help someone put groceries in their car, do volunteer work . . . the possibilities are endless!

Be Anonymous

When I was a child, I was given a picture book titled Secretly Do Good Deeds. Even then, years ago, it inspired me. Doing kind acts for people anonymously has its own sense of adventure and excitement, and I guarantee you’ll be blessed by it!

Brew the coffee

If he always brews your coffee, brew his. If she always runs your errands, run hers. Be creative and return the favor.

Kindness is contagious!

Ask for forgiveness

Our human nature is quick to say, "It wasn't my fault!" None of us without sin, however (1 John 1:8), and when we do wrong, we need to humble ourselves and apologize. This simple act speaks volumes and goes a long way towards repairing relationships and building character.

Kindness is contagious! 

Reach out to a parent or mentor

Let them know you appreciate them and all they've done for you.

Kindness is contagious!

Have a GIF War

Just for fun, start a GIF war with a friend or family member! Send them GIFs that will make them laugh or remind them specifically of you. Here's one of my favorite GIFs:

Let me know in the comments below if this made you smile! :D

Kindness is contagious!

Stories of Kindness: Anonymous

It all started with one fabric heart.

It had been a bad day for my mom. Discouraged and weary, the world felt dark for her. Then she spotted it, laying on the checkout counter at the library. It was a small fabric heart with a label saying to take it.

It was a small thing, but it brought joy to her in a moment she needed it. The heart hung in her room for a few years and the memory stuck with her. She thought about making hearts like the one she had found, but she never made the time.

And then 2020 came. 

The lockdown started and we had cashiers at our local grocery store, people we had known for a while, crying on our shoulder because of how poorly they were treated. We watched as people took out their anger on those working menial jobs who had no say in limits, mask mandates, or how much product their store had to sell.

We wanted to do something, and that’s when Mom remembered the heart. We pulled out a heart stencil, scrap fabric, ribbon, batting, and printed off some simple tags that expressed our gratitude for the work someone doing during hard times.

We sat down and we sewed sixty hearts. I come from a big family so it wasn’t hard. Even one of my sisters who didn’t like to sew was able to help make the simple project. We made those hearts and were excited to hand them out. We hoped we hadn’t made to many. I laugh now thinking about our concern.

We gave out the sixty hearts within a couple of weeks. It became a regular evening activity during the lockdown to make those hearts. We found handing a fabric heart to the clerk or waitress showed them in a tangible way they were seen and valued. 

It was a simple act of kindness, but one that had a huge impact. We had workers start crying, saying they had been ready to quit because all they got is cussed at day after day. We had people asking us about Jesus, because they saw that we were living out our faith. And we had people come up to us months later to tell us they still had their heart in their pocket or hanging in their car to remind them someone had seen them.

What can you do to make someone feel seen today?

-Anonymous

Instructions on how to make fabric hearts:

1. Use a stencil or freehand draw a two hearts onto cardboard one slightly smaller then the other. Cut these out

2. Using the larger heart, cut out two hearts from fabric

3. Using the smaller heart, cut out one from batting

4. Print off tags, punch a hole in one end and place on a short piece or ribbon

5. Place on larger fabric heart face down, then the batting heart, next, the ends of the ribbon in whatever part of the heart you want the tag to hang out, and then put the other large heart on top facing out.

6. Hand sew together using the blanket stich. Make sure to put a couple extra stiches to hold the ribbon in place

7. Give the completed heart to anyone you think needs to be reminded they are seen.

   
   

Reach farther

Reach farther than the standard, simple "How are you?" Show someone you care by asking them how they really are--spiritually, mentally, physically. Don't stop until you get a true answer, and then meet them right where they're at.

Kindness is contagious!

Examine the time you spend on social media

Social media can drain us, sometimes without our even realizing it. Yet, next thing we know, we are addicted and find it easier to post a comment to a blog or message an online friend than carry on a conversation with someone who is with us in the here and now, like our parents and siblings. Today, examine the time you spend on social media: is it productive? In what ways can (and should) you change your social media habits to allow for more time in your personal relationships with God and other people? You, like me, might find that stepping away from social media for a little while can help reduce your stress and add fruitfulness to your personal interactions.

Kindness is contagious!

Be Gentle

 "Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand." Philippians 4:5

Sometimes, it can be difficult to be gentle, like when a sibling is annoying you or a friend is accusing you of something you didn't do. Or maybe when you feel stressed and just want to vent off some of that pressure to those around you. This week, however, resolve to make an effort to be gentle. A kind word. A gentle touch. A whisper of encouragement. A smile. It goes a long way.

Kindness is contagious!

Give Up Your Free Time

 Nothing says "I care" like giving up your sacred spare time to do something with or for someone else. It doesn't have to be much, and it doesn't have to be long. But make it count.

Kindness is contagious!

Don't complain

Paul states clearly in Philippians 2:14, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing." While this command is easy to remember, it can be hard to obey. So, today, recognize that you do not have to; rather, you get to. Even the hardest chores are privileges - praise God that you are healthy enough to do them and that you have siblings who can make messes for you to clean up. Do all things to the glory of God!

Stories of Kindness: Katja

I’m a singer—by nature, by habit, and by choice. And I have a trick of singing random stuff whenever I am waiting for things to happen. Thus it came about that one December night, I stood on the front steps of our church and randomly sang. I can’t remember if it was solfeggio, or just a little cadence or something. It was nothing big—only a silly little tune. 

Our church steps give out directly onto a busy Montréal street, and as I was at the peak of my tune, I realized a woman was walking down the sidewalk in front of me. I stopped at once in embarrassment. The woman had headphones on, and I was singing loudly. 

Man, I probably just really disturbed her, I thought guilty. What will she think of me?

In the second that it took for me to think this, the lady raised her head and our eyes met. I was all ready to writhe internally, prepared for the stare or glare Montréal strangers usually hand out to each other. I never expected what came next.

She smiled.

And she called out, “You sing beautifully.” 

I blushed and muttered thanks as she walked on. The whole interaction took maybe 5 seconds, but I never forgot that sweet stranger. Her kind action was over in a flash and she may have completely forgotten about it ten minutes later, but it made a world of difference to a shy, self-conscious girl. Instead of it becoming one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, it is one of my best treasured memories that warms my heart and even moves me to tears when I recall it. There’s something in the bond created by kindness between strangers that is very precious.

Be a kind stranger today. 

Katja

Kindness is contagious!

Be appreciative

Today, focus on writing a thank-you list, remembering Paul's admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Consider just how much God has blessed you and write down as many things you can think of for which you are, or should be, thankful. Praise God for these things and observe how adopting this attitude changes your whole perspective! 

Kindness is contagious!

Buy and give a gift

It does not have to be expensive - just meaningful. Put some thought into it.

Kindness is contagious!

Share your favorite Bible verse

Mine is Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" In the comments below or with someone you feel God has placed on your heart, share your own favorite verse! Encourage someone today.

Kindness is contagious!

Interact with a child

Whether it's taking them out for ice cream, or just reading a story either snuggled on the couch together or over Zoom, get as involved as you can. This small act of kindness can make a child's day, if not their whole week.

Kindness is contagious!

Stories of Kindness: Heaven F.

An Unexpected Blessing

It was sometime in December of 2022 when an act of kindness appeared right in front of a door. One Sunday, it was a little after 3 P.M. when I was walking home from work. My feet were hurting; I was sweaty and ready to collapse onto my bed with a book. When I walked into the apartment complex my family lives in, I had no idea there'd be something waiting for me on the other side of the door. As I entered the building, my eyes glanced down at the ground, and I saw a large peppermint-striped box in front of our door. Immediately I thought, "Ah, mom must've ordered something, and she didn't realize the delivery guy had come." However, as I inched closer and eventually made it to the door, I saw that the box had my name on it. Even though it was Christmastime, I wasn't expecting to receive any gifts, so seeing the package was a mighty surprise, and to this day, I'm still appreciative of it.

You may wonder why. Sure, it's normal to receive gifts during that time of the year. However, it was my friend's thoughtfulness. She went out of her way to get me things she knew I'd like and to include a handwritten note. The fact that I was even on her mind. You see, throughout 2022, I battled with loneliness and the idea that no one cared about me. I spiraled numerous times, but the Lord always somehow knew how to pick me up and show me that the people in my life were the ones who, indeed, wanted to stick around. And receiving this gift was another confirmation that she cared. It wasn't the gift that mattered, but her going out of her way to bless me and show love. That's what genuine kindness is.

-Heaven

Kindness is contagious!

Make someone laugh

 Tell a clean joke or make someone laugh. 

Smiles (and kindness) are contagious!

Give someone a hug

 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Romans 12:10

Hugs are a simple way to show your love or affection for someone, yet we often don't do it enough. Today, give someone, that you wouldn't normally, a hug. Even if you're uncomfortable with physical affection, try it anyway. The simple fact that you're pushing yourself out of your comfort zone might say more about how you feel than the hug! (Plus, it's good to push yourself once in a while, right?)

On the other side of the spectrum, if you can't be with them, send them a virtual hug: a photo of something that you made you think of them, an encouraging quote...just the knowledge that someone is thinking of them is its own kind of hug.

Kindness is contagious!

Send a letter

If you are like me, you don't always have time to write out a long letter. And that's okay! There's just something special about getting a note in the mail that you can physically hold in your hands. Whether it's long or short, on stationary or a Post-It note. Say "hello" or "thank you"; say "I love you"; just say something cheery or sweet. Draw an emoji. Let them know you're thinking about them.

Kindness is contagious!

Express empathy

Jesus prayed for, cried with, and rejoiced alongside His disciples, and we are called to follow His example. Paul admonishes in Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Be a light and an encouragement to someone today.

Kindness is contagious!

Do more than you're asked

Did your mom ask you to put away groceries? If you notice that the pantry needs to be cleaned, do that, too. Remember that you are serving Christ and every good deed you do is for Him and performed through His strength alone. 

Kindness is contagious!

Encourage a Sibling or Friend

Either today or at some point this week, tell a sibling (or if you don't have a sibling, a close friend) one thing that you love about them. Be specific and uplifting. Whether in person or by phone, text, or email, make their day!

Kindness is contagious! 

Changes Coming to OSK in 2023

Hello everyone, and Happy New Year! We just want to thank you guys for sticking with us through 2022. We hope the challenges we shared could inspire you to kindness and put a smile on your face :) We, too, were personally challenged to share kindness throughout 2022, and we are hoping to continue this in 2023.

There are two major changes coming to OSK in the new year, one of which is a schedule change. Rather than posting weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, we'll mainly be posting only once a week on either Tuesday or Friday. The exception for this will be when we have guest posters, people who will come on and share personal stories of kindness. We think you will be especially inspired by these stories. We have already reached out to several people who have agreed to post, but if you or a friend are also interested in guest posting, feel free to drop a comment with your story and we'll consider posting it!

If you're subscribed by email, you may have noticed that our emails have stopped! The subscription service we've been using was discontinued, so we've begun using another service that will hopefully do the job. If you'd still like to be subscribed by email, fill out THIS FORM or use the form on the sidebar.

We look forward to hearing how God has worked through your simple and random acts of kindness both this year and next!

Many blessings,

Kate and Ellie

Guard your heart and mind

As we jump into a new year, resolve right now to guard your heart and mind; think only of what is "noble," "right," "pure," "admirable," "excellent," and "praiseworthy," as instructed by Paul in Philippians 4:8. Your thoughts make your attitude and shape your choices. Be an encouragement to others today!

Kindness is contagious!

Let Them Go First

If you have the opportunity to let someone go ahead of you, take it. Jesus said, "Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave" (Matthew 20:26-27). It is those who humble themselves that are exalted (Matthew 23:12). Putting others ahead of yourself, while challenging, is also very rewarding. And your act of kindness may just inspire others! 

Kindness is contagious!