So, I saw this blog and it made me think about what I would like to do on my birthday. I wanted to make my birthday more than just another year and I wanted to show God's love to others. This year my birthday will be somewhat sad because I cannot spend it with my twin sister but that does not mean it does not have to be a great day. Usually, I do not like my birthday and I am sort of freaking out about turning twenty-three this year!
Well, I decided to jump start the Random Acts of Kindness Birthday Operation! If you cannot do all of the things on the list, no worries but maybe you could do one or two, or invent your own random acts of kindness! Since January 16, 2012 is a national holiday it was plausible that my husband and I could pay it forward today but you can impact your community this week and beyond with kindness!
This is a picture of the original list but it had to be modified
due to the weather and MLK holiday. :)
Here are some of the Random Acts of Kindness I did on my Birthday (You can partake wherever you are):
1. My husband and I started off the day having a nice lunch at Cracker Barrel. We left a huge tip!
2. We also left nice note for our wonderful waitress.
3. After we finished our lunch we gave a $25 Cracker Barrel gift card to a nice elderly couple sitting near us. At first the couple did not know what to think and as I walked away I heard the man ask the waitress, “What is this thing?” and the waitress replied, “You can pay for your meal with it.”
4. After our trip to Cracker Barrel Josh and I went to Starbucks. After order some hot chocolate I turned around to the family of six behind us and gave them a $15 gift card explaining what we were doing. Seeing the smiling faces of the young children and the parents wishing me a happy birthday was awesome.
5. Then Josh and I traveled to Walmart where we took shopping carts out of the rain back into the store.
6. While in Walmart I gave a $10 Subway card to a confused college student in line ready to receive his sandwich at Subway. He was confused and dazed for the most part.
7. As we began checking out at Walmart I started to pray that someone would get in line behind Josh and I. Finally someone did and I turned around to give a $15 gift card to the lady and her four children behind us. She asked me “Are you sure…well thank you?” We walked away smiling.
8. We left nice notes on cars in Walmart’s parking lot.
9. Our favorite trip was to the hospital. Josh and I took art supplies to the labor and delivery family waiting room but the receptionist said “There are no families with small children in the waiting room today but you could take the supplies to pediatrics.” She then directed us to the peds ward. Josh and I gave the art supplies to the nurse’s stations and they were very grateful to have new toys for the children.
10. We also gave a case of water to the nurses in pediatrics. Then on our way back to the elevator the receptionist in the labor and delivery family room said, “Giving to others will not only bless them but you all as well. That was really nice what you all did and thanks you for the gifts!” Needless to the gratitude really spoke to Josh and I because every other person we had talked to just seemed confused and gave us strange looks.
11. After the hospital Josh and I dropped off some food at the Community Kitchen of Monroe County.
12. Josh and I then tried to go to the Police Station and Fire Stations but both were closed so we took two boxes of donuts at the Optometry school.
13. We also left cupcakes to the Optometry school lounge. Hopefully some drained and exhausted students will be excited to find some sugary snacks!
14. Josh and I then taped change to the vending machines in the Optometry school lounge with fun notes.
15. Our next stop was Barnes and Noble. We bought two $10 gift cards and I kept praying someone would get in line behind us. An elderly woman carrying a children’s gift stepped in line behind us. I told her what we were doing and she said “Thank you. Are you Sure?” I nodded, smiled and went on to the next task. We had originally wanted to read to some children at B&N but no children were to be found!
16. Josh and I had originally planned on taping a gift card to a book but I thought that the workers at B&N may think someone was trying to steal a gift card. So, I walked up to a college-aged girl and gave her the gift card explaining what that we were doing random acts of kindness today. As I glanced back the confused look on her face began to slide away as a smile began to form.
17. Josh and I decided we were hungry once again and went out for a birthday dinner at TGIF. We left a generous tip to a waiter that was more than distracted all evening but he was a nice fellow.
18. Josh and I decided to donate to Love146 which is an organization that works to end child sex slavery and exploitation. I bought a shirt and the proceeds go to helping children around the world!
19. We also donated $15 to International Justice Mission which is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.
20. Josh and I also donated $15 to As Our Own is a Christ-based, community-driven movement in India that rescues vulnerable children from certain enslavement and exploitation, caring form them as our own.
21. We donated to the Love Movement at To Write Love on Her Arms. T.W.L.O.H.A. is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope to people who are struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. T.W.L.O.H.A. encourages, informs and invests in treatments and recovery. I purchased a shirt and the proceeds go to helping people around the world!
22. We left a treat and a note for the Mail person in our mailbox.
23. Then I sent my Mom and Dad a thank you note for birthing me!
At the end of the day, I am not as freaked out about being twenty-three and I still miss my twin sister on the day of our birth. I am glad I spent today thinking about others and cherish the genuine shock and gratitude. I also liked donating to organizations I believe in whole heartedly! I just hope someone saw Jesus in me today. Please leave a comment about the random acts of kindness you have done in your own life or have witnessed! Thank you for reading my birthday post!
Sincerely,
Abby Daniel
Power Verse of the day: “My hope is in you Lord all the day long and I won’t be shaken by drought or storm. I wait for you and my soul finds rest. In my selfishness you show me grace.” (Aaron Shust).
