You've probably noticed challenges like this one pop up on your Instagram or Facebook wall and perhaps if you are anything like me, you mentally accept the challenge and then forget. My challenge today (to myself as well) is to be cognizant of opportunities to show kindness and not let them slip away.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

When I think about kindness and what it means to me, I'm reminded of the life-changing AND day-changing fruits of the spirit.  Acting from a place of kindness is going to change your life, but it also has the potential to change someone else's day. 

Are you willing to commit to 30 days of kindness, with me? Let's pray that God will open up our eyes to the needs of others and shut down all of the distractions that come with life. 

Recently, I boarded a plane to visit friends and family in the state I was born and raised. I do not mind traveling, but I do get nervous about one specific task. I have brachial plexus neuropathy in my shoulder and arm which makes it very difficult to lift anything over my head. I can, but it's a risk that can lead to a nasty flare up. In the past, I have always asked a strapping lad nearby to help me lift my suitcase into the overhead compartment. I assumed I would do this again. 

On the flight to my destination, without a word being spoken, nor a visible struggle witnessed, a man hopped up and lifted my bag for me. 

This is a random act of kindness that seems small. Little did he know how BIG of  an impact it would make. On the flight home, I was the 3rd to last person to board and thought for sure my carry-on would not fit as this was a full flight. I was the last person in the aisle, making my way down to the last empty seat and scanning the overhead compartments for space. It was PACKED. As I stood there in the aisle contemplating what I would do, a man popped out of his seat, rearranged a compartment and lifted my suitcase into the space he made. I stood there in shock for a brief moment and then thanked him profusely for being so kind in that moment. 

It doesn't take much. It isn't difficult. It takes so much more energy to be rude. Are you in? Let's fill up our fruit baskets and spread kindness wherever we go... starting today.

Blessings,