Random acts of love!

I debated posting about this because I would never want it to come across as if I was bragging. I just want to share what awesome things God has been doing in my life! I will start out with how Ive really been struggling with what the meaning of life is lately... I'm not sure why, but everything kept making me think about it and life just seemed so empty. I mean money has no purpose... we leave it on earth when we die. We do so much for it and it gets us nothing. Football, school, and so on... in the end do they matter? I just kept pondering it. I would ask Matt and he would say over and over "to please God" and I would say that I knew that, but what did that really mean. Finally he just told me I had to figure it out on my own. So I continued praying about it, but figured it would be one of those things I never really understood. Until the other night I was on pinterest and was just browsing when I came across this pin about random acts of kindness. I was interested BC I've always loved doing sweet things, but the more I looked into it the more excited I got. I thought about it and the next day I decided to do it! On the first day I tried to think what I could do with no money. So I thought... and I came up with some awesome ideas!! First off, I had a large amount of coupons from the coupon books that the schools sold last year that was going bad at the end of the month. A lot were to restaurants that were buy one get one free. So I decided to return them! So I separated them out and went by the places I could. I would just tell them that I wanted them to go to good use and please give them to the next couple of people who came in. It was crazy how shocked people were and how they didn't understand why I would go out of my way to do that. One man just kept asking why I didn't want to use them. I was like because i want to show someone the love of Jesus! Then I came across a coupon for one free cup of coffee (no purchase needed) from krispie kreme. So I ran by and grabbed one and gave it to the next bell ringer I saw! She lit up so much! I think I was happier giving it to her though than she was getting it! I also cleaned out my clothes. I'm pretty organized and clean so I didn't have many clothes to give, but I decided to part with some that I normally would have kept, but didn't really need. The next day was full of fun ones! Then today I was babysitting and so Matt and the girls joined along! it was beyond a blast! Seeing the girls get into it and Matt also. It blessed me with joy more than anything! I had a limit of money which wasn't a ton and decided to see how many people i could bless with just that amount of money! Follow along as i list some of the opportunities I have had!

 

Coffee to bell ringer  

 

Coupons given back

 

Meal at McDonald's

This only cost me $2.50. The lady behind me started honking as I pulled away.

 At first i thought she was mad, but when i looked back she was

waving thanking me with the biggest smile on her face! 

 

Policeman's meal at back yard burger

This is my favorite one! I wasn't planning on buying another meal until

a policeman pulled behind me in the drive thru. I was thrilled! I

wanted to let him know how much I appreciate him!

 

$5.00 to regions teller

When I got my cash i was able to tell her what i was planning on doing

with it and when i was about to walk away I decided to start with her!

 

Candy bar for bell ringer

I asked the older man ringing the bell on the way in what his favorite candy

bar. It was only .48. As i was telling my mom, if i do not have .48

to make someones day better then i am worse off than i should

be. We pass up such easy opportinities!

 

Candy bar for cashier

 

Tea for Matt

I decided I couldnt just show love to strangers, but also to my fiance!

He loves milos sweet tea, but doesnt get it often because it's to

expensive for a college student. I surprised him with a gallon

when i came back!

 

Tea for jen

It's close to finals and I know that my roomie (We are both RA's

now so we no longer share a room, but we are still very close!) loves hot tea from the mall.

So i picked up her favorite kind!

 

Bacon for Sarah

I have a friend at college who loves... and that is an understatement for bacon.

lol I bought a thing of bacon and left it in her refrigerator with an encouraging note!

I cant wait until she gets back

 

Folding clothes for girls

This is another free one and easy! At school we have a community laundry room.

Often if you need the dryer you just sit the ones that were in the dryer on top.

So the other night i made a point to fold all of the clothes. It is no biggie at all,

but around this time of the semester we all need a little help!

 

Clean ladies house

I babysit on a rgular basis. This time the lady had had a rough day and her house

was not as clean as normal. So after the kids went to bed i just picked

up and cleaned the kitchen! 

 

Goodies for girls

Again... It's almost finals and everyone can use a little energy

boost! Left som treats by the door for each girl!  

 

Heart cough drops

One of the girls in the dorms wasnt feeling so great so I taped 

cough drops in a heart shape! 

 

Give goodie's to police and firemen

We made all kinds of cookies and delivered them to a few different fire

and police stations! The girls had a blast today giving them out!

 

Apple cider and crackers to bell ringers

It wasnt so cold today, but they still seemed to enjoy it though!

 

Popcorn taped to redboxes

This was a fun idea for the next person who rented the next

movie they would have free popcorn!

 

Cupcakes to scouts fundraising with Christmas trees

We made cupcakes and gave it out to all the hungry boys trying to raise money!

 

Coffee for girls during late nights

During the week of finals the girls will all be up late so i have it set

up where there will be coffee and snacks set up all night!

 

Thank you cards Made by kids

The girls made cards for the police and firemen! So adorable!

 

Candy cane competition

We each competed to see through out the day who could give

the most candy canes away during the day to random people!  

 

Return grocery carts

Simple, but often not done! Offer to take people's buggies back for

them. This especially helps moms with children!

 

I have a few other ideas that I may share later! For now though I want to make this point... Kindness does not always have to be hard or cost! You can do it by just simply smiling as you walk by people. A lot of times we have things that could help others, but we are just to lazy to do it. If I can remember I would like to buy a candy bar for each cashier as i check out. It is mere change. I cannot express how happy this has made me! I am so blessed. So how can you show love today? Think out of the box! What can you do? Something as simple as a kind gesture can brighten someones whole day. The world is full of darkness... I choose to be someones light! :) What is something you can or have done today to encourage someone? Comment with ideas and what you have done!

JEN