Good Deeds

There is something evolving at my house, and I'm going with it. For a few weeks now, it's been my determined purpose to do something good everyday -- for someone else.

I spend a lot of time in my head. Even as I go through the motions of being a mom and a wife, my mind is a whirlwind of randomness. I think about reicpes, bumper stickers, sewing projects, my filthy microwave, what I'm going to paint next, do I have stamps?, why so many dentists have bad breath, and if bathing the cat is really worth the risk. There is never any rhyme or reason to my thought process, and thankfully my husband is the same way, so he totally gets me. I might ask him something about Criminal Minds (that we watched last Friday) while I'm brushing my teeth or tell him all about the new laundry detergent during supper. ???

I say all that to tell you that these random thoughts are peppered with purposeful thoughts, too. Every morning, I pray for an inspiration and seek out at least one way to do something nice for someone. I know I run the risk of piquing someones skepticism, and I'm assuming it's because people have lost a little faith in unsolicited good. Usually things or deeds come with strings attached. I'm setting out to change that, in little ways at a time.

Lately, I've begun including my little girls in my "secret missions". It's my hope that it will fend off some of the selfish instinct we all possess. They often struggle to share with each other, but love doing something sweet for others. I say give it time, and it will become second nature to them in all their relationships.
Now, we're not saving the world here. What I'm talking about are things like cards, flowers, compliments, simple gifts, and so on. It's usually something relatively inexpensive, but big on thoughfulness. Ava has come up with some doozies, many of which would require a bank robbery, so I have to scale her back. Still, she's getting the idea. Kindness is good for the giver and the receiver. I want my children to have a heart for others and I want them to be aware of the world around them. Being nice to someone may be the only 'nice' they get. More than anything, I just don't want to raise TAKERS. Society has plenty of those already.

Find somebody today, a friend or better yet a stranger, and do (or say) something kind. Next time you're talking to someone, really listen...listen for the little things they will inadvertantly share...and take note. I love doing this. Did they mention something they need? like? collect? It really has made me happy to be this way on purpose and I fully intend to keep it going. I don't worry so much anymore about people being skeptical of my actions. I know that I'm doing what I want to do with pure motive: to show God's love through me.

PS--just so you don't think I live in a bubble with rainbows and classical music, I write this from my dirty computer table, two more loads of laundry waiting, and I haven't showered yet. My kids' rooms look like crap, and there is cat hair all over the recliner, but that's life. I'm just a believer in positive thinking. : )

I hope you have a really good day.

~Dana