‘Tis the Season for Random Acts of Kindness

It seems like every time I watch the news; every single story is negative or sad in some way.  I don’t know about you but when I wake up in the morning the last I want to hear is a ton of negative news to start my day.  Fortunately, in the past week, there have been a few stories highlighting some random acts of kindness.

Paid-Off Walmart Layaway Balances

Some of those random acts of kindness include Tyler Perry and Kid Rock paying off layaway balances for three Walmart stores.  Tyler Perry paid off balances for two Walmart stores in Georgia and Kid Rock paid off $81,000 worth of layaways at his local Walmart in Nashville.  Not only stars are catching on to this type of random act of kindness.

Recently, our local news highlighted a man who went into a local Walmart and paid off several layaway balances.  This person asked for nothing in return and did not want any publicity from it since it was done completely anonymously.  Of course, the news showed a picture of this person trying to track down who it could be but I don’t think he has been discovered yet.

My Personal Experience with Kindness

Random acts of kindness do not all require one to spend money.  Sometimes those random acts could be just striking up a conversation with someone alone in a store and getting to know them.  My mother is an excellent example of one who can strike up a conversation with anyone.  When I was younger, it would annoy me that my Mom had to have a conversation with everyone she seemed to pass BUT in hindsight I now see that this is her gift.

God granted her the gift of gab and not just any gab but really being able to connect with anyone no matter where she is.  Funny enough, I now find myself chatting it up with people just like my Mom does.  Her cheer rubbed off on me.  I have had the fortune of meeting all kinds of people by doing so.

The Veteran in Virginia

One specific example was a Veteran I met in Virginia.  He was celebrating Thanksgiving alone a few years ago.  I had to go to the store on Thanksgiving to grab a few more eggs yet I know now that I was meant to be right there at that point in time.

As I was walking to my car with my baby in her carrier, there was this Veteran parked next to me loading up his car with his groceries.  The way we were parked, I was unable to get into my car until he was done so I was initially politely just standing there.  He turned, as grumpy as could be and told me that I would be waiting a LONG time.

Initially, he was very angry, not at me but just in general.  Although I was initially taken aback by his anger, I started politely talking to him and introduced myself.  He began to share with me that he was a Veteran.  I thanked him for his service, asked whether he was from the area and from there he began to open up.  I started helping him get his groceries in his vehicle.

After our conversation, he apologized for how he acted in the beginning.  He said that he is just used to everyone just being in a hurry and not caring about others.  He was right; our lives can get so busy that we overlook some of God’s blessings that are just standing there right before us.  A random act of kindness doesn’t require money, but instead just requires you to notice God’s opportunities for you to spread kindness.

A Lesson in Love and Understanding

Today, I challenge you to look for ways that you can spread kindness.  Whether it is helping someone pump their gas as the gas station, offering to allow them to cut in front of you in line or offering a smile to a stranger on the street, remember, not all acts of kindness require money.  During this holiday season, let us remember to be like Jesus.  Love is patient and love is kind.

God bless you and your family this holiday season. If you are struggling to make ends meet this holiday season, please contact one of our offices to see if bankruptcy may be an option for you.