Dear Reader, did you know there is a day, noted on many calendars called, “World Kindness Day?” It’s been observed annually on November 13 for over twenty-five years. Each year World Kindness Day has a theme. For 2024 the theme is, “The Importance of Kindness in Child Development,” a perfect segue to . . .

A few years ago, the adolescent daughter of family friends, was struggling with making and keeping friends. Instead of enabling her child, or ranting about other people’s kids, the mom did a very smart thing. Together, parent and child started a Kindness Club with a couple of girls they both knew.

Mom totally understood that, as in so many areas of life, Dear Reader, you have to give in order to receive. Over time, Mom organized outings to be bell-ringers for Salvation Army. The Club helped sort items for a craft donation organization that in turn provided materials to teachers in at-risk school settings. Members also packed toiletry items to go in personal care bags for unhoused men.

Just looking at those faces makes me want to selflessly show kindness to someone. They also remind me, Dear Reader, that we don’t have to be Oprah, or Mother Teresa, or Warren Buffet to show kindness to others.

This is my last gift to you, this example of a way of life: a life of hard work, a life of helping the weak, a life that echoes every day those words of Jesus our King, who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35 VOICE

What act of kindness have you received, Dear Reader, that turned your day around? The smallest things can have the greatest impact.

DISCLAIMER: This song didn’t encourage me to drink more Coke, but it did leave me with gentle memories of our devoted youth group making it our theme song all those years ago.

FYI Just because we’re already past November 13 doesn’t mean we don’t have to stop brainstorming ways to be kind. AND, “Random Acts of Kindness” Week rolls around near Valentine’s Day every year. Let’s get a headstart. How do you see yourself being selflessly kind to someone around you?