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!