This is something that Jaku and I really try to practice on a continuous basis. we have been doing it for years and I think it's sort of became a habit. We would do little things for people like buying them coffee (that's definitely a favorite) or taking them to breakfast or sometimes just paying for what ever the people behind us ordered at the drive through. The thing is what we have been experiencing lately is an abundant random acts of kindness coming towards us. It's been just such a blessing. And these are not big things but little things like the girls at Starbucks giving us coffees for free because I gave the one girls a corenza-C for her flu symptoms.SO TODAY
I want to encourage you to look beyond you and yourself and find someone that you can just be a blessing to for NO REASON at all. Just a little thing. A very little thing sometimes can make the world of difference to someone. We tend to focus so much on ourselves... our circumstances, our pains and fears and frustrations. And yet the word teaches us it's much more rewarding to give than to receive. The companion good news with that is that it will come back to you. Just when you need it the most. Blessings will be then to cheer, comfort and encourage your heart. I am sure I am not the only one with experiences of random acts of kindness. Tell me today what you did today that was a blessing to someone. Or what someone did that was a blessing to you. and yes... I will give away another kit to make those coffee bells. JUEL ... you won yesterday's RAK... email me!!
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Wilna
x
The little kit includes: (ALL Making memories) Brads, Rub ons, Ribbons, flocking and foiling kit, 4 different papers (2 of them are double sided)... also some bells, embroidery floss, sticks and the starbucks cup.
25 comments :
YOU are such a beautiful person Wilna!!
YOU are a random act of kindness in my day. You are a daily blessing. Thank you.
Just before the south african convention, someone told me about your blog. and so i found others, too. i was inspired to start my own. and i've never looked back. you are a star!
Wilna - this post is very timely for me. I have found that I am not getting into the Christmas spirit as so many of the people around me are more focused on the $ surrounding Christmas. When I walked into my office at work this morning, there was a red pointsetta sitting on my desk - no card, no note, nothing to indicate who it is from. Based on a bit of research, it seems like the gift was from my Manager - it was just so unexpected and so kind. It brought a smile to my face instantly! I appreciate this RAK and know that I need to make more of an effort to make it a daily routine! Thanks for the reminder.
I try to get up everyday and offer a prayer, "Lord, make me a blessing to someone today!" It opens my eyes to the occasions that may present themselves as I go about my daily routines, run errands, etc.
Today it happened that I was the one in the family who had the time and energy to order flowers for all of my husband's siblings to send together for a funeral. I hope that was a blessing to my in-laws who have young children and not much time for flower ordering. And I hope it will be a blessing to the ones who receive the flowers.
Wilna, hi you are so sweet and everything you say is so true! I have 2 things one that Iam doing and One that was done to me..I live in Prince George B.C. Canada and it has snowed a heck of alot in the past days, I have two great neighbours, a retired couple on one side and a single mom on the other so since Iam home today and the sun is shinning I thought I would shovel their drive ways for them. Also last friday I was pulling out of a parking spot at the mall and a pick-up truck re-ended me white it was backing out. Well the experience was not pleasant but a lot happened because of it. Firstly, the gentleman was nice about it and agreed to pay for all the damages. But most importantly we were ok, neither of us were hurt and I who has not been too happy to due to certain circumstances in my life was soo soo glad to be alive healthy and well..I believe I was overlooking the gifts God has bestowed on me and focusing too much on the not so pleasant...Now Iam so grateful for the beauty of my life and the chance to experience it this Christmas with my family and for years to come..
This isn't meant for me to get in on your RAK, but after Teagan died it was the very act of doing unexpected little things for others that helped pull Chip and me out of our sad state and see life had so much goodness in spite of pain and hurt. We did things like bought a dozen GIANT homemade cookies each week for a year and we would deliver them to people or businesses and individuals who had touched our lives as a result of our tragedy. I knew that at least once each week I would get to leave the house and bring some unexpected person(s) a little bit of happiness. It's where my life mantra "Sometimes you have to create your own joy" comes from. And the truth is it works! As you and Jaku are experiencing! I love reading that!
And you know, as the years wear on, my anger and bitterness toward the woman who killed Teagan has turned into compassion and ache for her as I realize she probably has not been shown much love and goodness or affection in her life. It makes me sad to think that maybe circumstances could have ended differently for her AND for us had there just been people in her life that had shown her love. Even in little bits.
So I pray for her and keep asking God to have someone show up in her life to make her see that there is reason for Hope and Joy in this world. No matter how bad things have gone. I thank God that I love knowing His love and Grace and Mercy each day. It's a gift so undeserved. I hope I share it with people in little & big ways every day of my life.
Love to you...and thanks for spreading the love right back into the hearts and lives of others!
This is an easy one for me today. We had our Beagle puppy spayed yesterday and I have been busy taking care of her and our 3 year old. I was completley shot by dinner and when my husband came home he whipped up our meal without even asking. He is a blessing everyday, but today was just the RAK I needed.
sarah L
We have a parent at the daycare I work at who is from Ethiopia. We had a Christmas party today and got her gifts for her daughter and herself. Then we called a cab so she wouldn't have to take the bus. We provide free childcare for her and she is now attending an ESL program in another high school. I find it such a blessing that we can help her out in the ways that we can. I feel sorry for her being in a strange country, trying to learn a strange language with a daughter under the age of one. I have been to Ethiopia and have met so many wonderful people there that I feel a connection with her. So knowing her is a blessing to me and an inspiration.
Dorinda
You are such an inspiration ... in fact there are days when I can't get on the computer and I don't read your blog and let me just say that I can feel it deep within when I haven't had my Wilna fix. Please know that you give me a RAK every time you post a message!!
Oh and I paid for the car behind me in the drive through a while back ... oh my it was the best thing ever. I cried as I drove away knowing they'd be blessed and never even know who did it but i knew it was God, whispering to me "share, give and be blessed by the experience my child." I want to do it again sometime soon, God will tell me clearly when the time is right.
WOW, this is my first visit to your blog, and I am blown away. I love your art. beautiful, simply beautiful. I love your messages. it touches my heart. A friend of mine sent me her version of your coffee cup mini book. a completely unexpected bit of joy in my mailbox.
the raks I usually try to offer is to take pictures of others. when you see people taking pictures of their family or friends (especially at vacation spots, but also out to dinner) I offer to take a group shot. when I was on vacation a year ago... we went to the circus and a lady did the same for me. silly, but that little act of hers brought tears to my eyes, and I try to offer the same to others.
I will definitely be back to your blog, thanks!
I TOTALLY believe in random acts of kindness...today I bought a client (I'm a professional counselor) a holiday mint blizzard from Sonic...I brought it with me to our appointment. She was having an incredibly bad day, and...when I gave her the ice cream, she started crying and said her grandpa (who is now dying) used to buy her ice cream to make her feel better...I KNOW it was a God thing...but I TRULY believe in the power of kindness to change people's lives...especially the lives of those who PERPETRATE the kindness!
Love seeing the art you create. I'm enjoying Sarah's 12 days of Christmas. Thanks for sharing your projects.
I invited 2 LDS missionaries to dinner tomorrow night. I'm not Mormon, but felt that they were place on my doorstep to do something for. DH and AI are trying to recapture Christmas by doing things we don't normally do. And helping 2 young men away from home, seemed like a good stet this holiday season.
Little things make a big difference in our lives. I believe in that. For the past year and a half when I pick up my daughter from kindergarten, I pick my brothers daughter and drop her home as well. My sister-in-law had her second baby last year and I know it would have been real hard for her to pack up the little one every single day in peak afternoon heat to go to school. Its not much but I know my SIL appreciates it a lot.
My daughter saves any candy she gets, brings it home, then splits it for the two of us to share. She turns five tomorrow. Both of us love candy esp the chocolate kind. And EVERY SINGLE time she gives me a piece of her candy my heart fills up with love and my eyes with tears of joy. Again its just a little thing, but for her to know what I like and save it AND share is a very big thing for me. Most times even when I forget it, she teaches me the importance of just being nice. Priya
Since I won the drawing from yesterday please don't count me in this time.
Today I gave away a small clipboard I had covered with Pink and Black paper to someone that wasn't exspecting it. She loved it!
Yesterday we had a huge ice storm and there were only a few people that made it to my husbands place of business-the troopers! Everyone was kind of stressed to get the work done, so when my husband came home for lunch I sent him back with a huge plate of homemade cookies I'd just baked for all the wookers. The kids were not to happy, but it was a good lesson in sharing with others. And the best part-my husband said I was his hero! Thanks for the inspiration!
I have always been someone that people can talk to, and it seems that all week, either at work or dear friends have needed a shoulder to cry on. I try to give them good advise. They are always thankful but I think I am more blessed that they trust me to share their feelings with me. I am glad God has given me this ability.
thanks Wilna. you are truly an inspiration. I posted off a parcel to an unsuspecting person yesterday filled with scrapbooking goodies. Wonder what she's going to say when she receives it. It feels so good to share the Christmas spirit with others. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
dear wilna, i am so thrilled to find your blog. love your he{art}. we could be fast friends! i was recently blessed to make a cool journal for a new woman at a local Christian shelter. she did not have a pen or paper. she felt so loved when she held her journal. it was not expected. oh, the joy that was mine to see her face and eyes brighten up! and now she is writing in the pages of her journal about the amazing grace of God ... things being shared with her at the shelter/home. it really is true ... little is much when God is in it. How He multiplies our efforts to dispense His love.
hugs ... and thanks from my heart to yours! -marno (1st time poster)
i sent a card to someone who just needed to know that God loves them so much.
Thanks for your words tonight ... you spur me on to keep working on my love walk. Thanks Wilna. Kim
Wilna I just understand so much what you are saying. I just see it so often in my own life. Just as an example you bless someone with something and then that blessing returns to you in another way and sometimes when you least exepct it and when you really need it. It has just happened so often in my life this year and I really understand what you mean. I don't want to go into specfics. You and your blog really bless me and I go in every day to see what you have been up to. Have a blessed Christmas and an equally blessed new year. Bernadine
I was in line at the restaurant at lunch time and the line up was really bad. It was almost my time to get a table and 2 older ladies came in to get a table. I took their spot and waited again for a table! A simple gesture, but they were so happy to not have to wait in the cold at the end of the line! Thanks for your post it's always good to read you!
You inspired me to take my accountant, my mil, my mother and my two good friends homemade cookies yesturday!!! They loved them!!
My husband is a blessing. Yesterday I was sick and when he got home he let me go to bed. He cleaned the house, bathed the girls, made me dinner and took care of everything. He is the best. Now I am feeling a little better so the girls and I are going to make cookies and brownies and take them to our new neighbors, they just moved in.
Inspiration at its best! I always feel a little bit lost in these few days after Christmas, like a balloon gone flat. My kid got her matric results yesterday and we received congratulations from all over! I was astounded and humbled to find that there are so many people out there who took a personal interest in what happens in our life. It gave me a well needed high and after reading the blog I know why! I am seriously implementing my own RAK’s today since I have a feeling that if nothing else, our country needs this as a way of life.
SA greetings!
Post a Comment