Monday, December 15, 2008

Fun Monday - Random Acts of Kindness

Fun Monday

Mommy Wizdom is our very thoughtful and talented hostess for Fun Monday and she has challenged us to do the following:

1) Your job this week is to go out and perform a random act of kindness. Now, before you freak out, please read on. This is actually really easy!! This act may be for someone you know or for a perfect stranger. It can be big or small, it'll all up to you. Obviously, it should be something within your means. For instance, don't go out and buy your next door neighbor a car and then complain to me that you can't make your mortgage payment, ok?
And
2) Then, blog about what you did and why. How did it impact the person(s) you did it for? And better yet, how did it impact you!? How did you feel after you did it? Would you do it again?
Or
3) If you've had a random act of kindness bestowed upon you (recently), we'd love to hear about it. How did it impact you? How did it make you feel?

What a wonderful idea, especially during this time of year when we are so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the busy season that we tend to forget about those who are less fortunate than us, or those who may need a hand. One of the most important and least expensive gifts you can give someone is the gift of time.

On Sunday, a group of about 30 or more people from my church, including myself and my two girls went to some of the local shut-ins to deliver fruit baskets and sing some good ol' fashioned Christmas carols. Most of the shut-ins are members from our church who reside in retirement homes, but some live in old farm houses situated off the beaten path. It took a good 3-4 hours, including travel to deliver the baskets and sing carols. It was very touching to watch the expressions of the elderly people while we sang. Some of them cried, some sang along and some just squealed in delight and by the look in their eyes, you could tell that it meant everything to them to be remembered by their church family during the Christmas season. We definitely plan on doing it again next year....


Carley & Casey inside retirement home


Waiting outside another retirement home for someone to answer door

Our Pastor with one of the "shut-ins"


More "shut-ins" enjoy the singing

I try to live my life by performing random acts of kindness on a daily basis. It is not something I plan out or think about. I simply live each day by being the best I can be and random acts of kindness just come naturally. I don't need a pat on the back - it is between me and God.

Please be sure to check out the other participant's "RAKs" here and have a blessed day!

14 comments:

Jan n Jer said...

The gift of time is so thoughtful and can mean so much to that certain person. I'm proud of you.

Tracy said...

The gift of time is truly the best RAK anyone can give. I'm sure all of those people you encountered today will go to bed with a smile.

IamwhoIam said...

What nice pictures you added

:) to you

Anonymous said...

That was so touching. I think time is the best gift, especially in today's world. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. I love the photos as well.

Have a wonderful week!

Anonymous said...

Oh I remember going and adopting an elderly person at a local nursing home when I was a girl scout. I loved it, and as a kid watched the elderly people that we had adopted beam. What an amazing gift to all of the people you touched, but also to you as well. Or that is how I always feel.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I love singing carols for those who don't have a lot of company this time of year! I love the pictures that you used with the post. What a great memory for the kids too!

Carrie @carrieloves said...

I love the pictures, it is just so sweet.

Heather said...

We went caroling, too! I love the idea of going to shut-ins homes though. Maybe we'll do that next year for our caroling outing!

Cruise Mom said...

I love to hear about caroling. Just last night my daughter asked me if anyone carols anymore...she remembers one year her Girl Scout troop went caroling. I was able to point her here and say, 'yes, people do still carol.'

Heather said...

Hi! My pretzels were from Meijer. They were the Meijer brand "holiday shapes" pretzels. I was lucky, they were actually the last bag on the display. There's pretzel bells in the mix, too! (I don't think any were in the picture)

Sayre said...

That was lovely. Time may be hard to come by sometimes, but that makes it all the more precious when you give it away.

Gattina said...

We don't have to do much to make people happy, especially the once who are sometimes forgotten by their families in retirement homes !

Alison said...

what a wonderful way to spend your day...it was also a gift to yourself.

Faye said...

What a great experience for young people to do something to connect with the elderly. So many don't have visitors so I'm sure this visit was a welcome break from their normal day. And, they do enjoy singing the old familiar carols.

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