Tomorrow

Tomorrow our little practice begins in earnest, and so I
just wanted to share a couple of thoughts with you all.

First off-“40 Days” has become truly global! From Europe to Africa, From the Pacific Rim
to the Americas, From Asia to Oceania and even Elephant Island, Antarctica (but
only in the summer). We are represented on every continent! That just amazes
me-although I can’t give you any good reason why it should. The
love and kindness we desire to know and share knows no geographical limits.

Second-I have noticed a potential danger in this over the
past several days—There have been times when I’m visiting our group and have
nothing to say, and I find myself tempted to “force it” of “fake it” in order
to feel as though I “fit in”. As if something to post is the price of admission
to our little fellowship. And I would suppose that if I feel like that, there
are probably others who do as well. Let me address this by borrowing a thought
from “The Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous

“Do not be
discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect
adherence to these principles…the point is that we are willing to grow…we claim
progress, rather than perfection.”

And lastly-I’d like to leave you with this image from a
Chinese proverb I was reminded of last night; “Fragrance lingers on the hand
that offers roses.”

Grace and peace to all!

Jack

I tickled my boys on the couch this morning before work. I wish my dad would have done that with me. I never remember him ever doing that.

Eager Kindness

Eager Kindness

(Christ)” gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own; eager to
do what is good.” Titus 2:14

There are many here at “40 Days of Kindness” who have
decided that they are simply not going to be able to wait for March 9th
to begin! I think that they illustrate something important, something that for
the lack of a better term I will call the “goal” of all of this-to love others
by being kind as a lifestyle rather than a campaign.

They are an inspiration to me! Their example “spurs me on to love and good
deeds”.

They also make it a little clearer to me that I need to take
“The Christ Life” out of the box I confine it to in my own day-to-day and ALLOW
Him to consume me more completely. To relinquish control and allow God to form
me into the little piece of the mosaic He creates to show His Self to the
world.

“He’s built a monument, His very people” David Crowder

Wendy

I am mailing a card to my Grandma just to say that I am thinking about her. :)

Missy

I was in line to visit my son last night at the local jail..and a lady with her hands full..two twins..came in and just broke the line..got right in front of me. Instead of being angry, I ask her if I could help her with her babies while she sat down...she looked exhausted. She smiled and I was her friend for the night...sadly their daddy was in jail.

Missy

I went to a dinner for ALS, and they had lots of donated cake left over. Most people were taking one piece of cake home. I ask for a large box...i filled it to the brim..took it to the projects and gave it to a family that lives in such pov...erty that their floors are dirt and the 4 little children never have shoes on their little feet. They dug into that varity like it was Christmas!!! and loved every bite!! (the lady at the dinner gave me a stern look,like I was not supposed to be so greedy to take so much cake..I told her where it was going..but by her look..she didn't believe me..oh well) Please pray for this family...

Debi

I have been helping people by running errands for them, giving of food when needed, taking people to the store, making calls for people and even going to the doctor with people...

Missy

today I went to a luncheon and I got up before everyone else had so I could pick up plates so they could socialize..I was told "here would be no tips.!!!"... It was a senior gathering and they loved the pampering...I enjoyed serving them in that very small way. The smiles and thank you's were many and I spoke to each and every single person there and made them feel special for coming.

Wanda

Today I was out with a friend that I met recently. We went to "Kopps" for ice cream with our children 3 total - ages 4 and under. The kids tried very hard to sta...y quiet but then they just couldn't and started running around. My friend was beginning to feel embarrassed because people began to leave. I made her laugh by saying we will be the talk of their dinner tables tonight. Soon it was just us and our children, it was then that she asked me about my church. We talked about it for a while and she asked about children's programs. I was able to invite her to come to church with me and my family. Now I should mention that this was the 3rd time we talked about it but today was the first time that she really seemed interested. ----- So, long story short. By our children clearing the room out. God was able to allow for a fairly quiet moment for us to talk about him. I was able to share my excitement and love for my church to get her willing to come and hear about Him.--- I find it amazing that God can use a child's restlessness as the perfect time to see God's love and his hand in our days. ---- I do wish though that I could apologize to the people who cleared out though. I feel that we disrupted their day and that was not kind. But God was able to use that situation for his Glory and that is the point I am trying to make. God knew that my friend had a need. That need was to hear. I spoke the words God put into my mouth. I feel it will take a few more conversations and a few more invites for her to be fully ready to come to church.

Kim

I have an elderly neighbor whose car has been wrecked. And I have been able to take her on errands. She is a real sweet lady. I am praying God will help me reach to others more. I have been caught up in my own depression and not watching for the opportunity. Will make a point so I can respond to the challenge here

The Kindness of a Little Flower

The Kindness of a
Little Flower



“How shall I show my love is proved by deeds? Well - the
little child will strew flowers...she will embalm the Divine Throne with their
fragrance, will sing with silvery voice the canticle of love.



Yes, my Beloved, it is thus that my life's brief day shall
be spent before Thee. No other means have I of proving my love than to strew
flowers; that is, to let no little sacrifice escape me, not a look, not a word,
to avail of the very least actions and do them for Love. I wish to suffer for
Love's sake and for Love's sake even to rejoice; thus shall I strew flowers.
Not one shall I find without shedding its petals for Thee...and then I will
sing, I will always sing, even if I must gather my roses in the very midst of
thorns - and the longer and sharper the thorns the sweeter shall be my song.”
St. Therese the Little Flower (The Story of a Soul)

I can find nothing to add to this…perhaps one of you may
have some insight to share?

Fort Kindness

Fort Kindness



Bob is a Master Carpenter and General Contractor who does a
lot of work in the inner city of Milwaukee, WI.
He and I were talking yesterday about how far a little kindness can go
and he told me this story.

He was working on a
job site recently that had a particularly severe problem with stolen materials. After a couple of days of this he noticed
that the missing items were being taken to a vacant lot across the alley where
they were being used to build a ramshackle fort by the kids in the neighborhood.
His crew kept dragging the lumber back and the next day they would arrive to
find even more missing. The crew kept urging Bob to call the police; but Bob
had other ideas.

The next day Bob went and bought the needed supplies and
enlisted two of his employees to build the fort -complete with a door, windows
and a shingled roof! He tells me that when the neighborhood kids got home from
school that day “You could have been 50 miles away and you still would have
heard them hootin’ and hollerin’”.

Not only did Bob never have another thing missing from their
project, every morning they would arrive to find that the site had been
meticulously cleaned. Every wood chip, every bent nail, every soda can. They
also found a thank you card signed by
40+ kids. (He keeps it on his mantel).

Bob’s act of kindness may not seem to have had a significant
impact from our “adult” point of view-but I’ll bet those kids would disagree!