Everyone can do it

Some within the culture of manhood might say it's for sissies, wimps, women, and phonies.  Hopefully, that group is a small group.  Others might say that the just don't have time, or don't think of it, or maybe they feel foolish doing it.  And then there are those that are just too selfish, too self centered, or consider themselves above it to do it.  What is this "it"?   It is something that not only everyone can do, but something everyone should do.  It is called "a random act of kindness."

There aren't a whole lot of things we can do to draw ourselves out of ourselves than to do random acts of kindness frequently.  Being kind to others is one of the basic themes of being a Christ-like man.  We were born to be kind, and all of us lost that natural instinct along the way of growing into adults to one degree or another.  Just look around if you think that might be a bad statement.

A random act of kindness is something we willingly give to someone who has no idea or expectation that he/she is about to receive it, and it is given with absolutely no expectation of acknowledgement for it.  It involves spontaneity, a bit of sacrifice perhaps, a sense of timing and appropriateness, and it always provides a sense of joy to both the giver and the receiver.  How good is that?  And, when done, it is never done with any sense of obligation nor expectation of reward except for the feeling that you just did something nice, or kind, to a stranger.

Here's a recent example of a huge random act of kindness:

 

Obviously, man of us are not in the position to do what the man from the note did.  Random acts don't have to be "huge" and "big".  But there are so many things that can be done as random acts that will mean so much to the unknown recipient.

• perhaps you have heard of some family from church that is struggling financially...even if it's just a small amount, you can send them some cash (or put it in an envelope with their name on the outside and a short anonymous note inside and drop it in the church collection...they will get it to the person).
• maybe you'll see some elderly person obviously struggling with something....it just takes a few moments to stop and help them
• how about stopping at one of the street people's place on the sidewalk and let them know that you'd love to take them to McDonalds down the street for a lunch and a warm cup of coffee.

Those are but a couple of examples.  Once you do a few acts of random kindness, you will automatically be tuned in for others you can do.  You will be looking for situations.  And you will be doing so, not with the intent of patting yourself on the back or hoping others will notice....no, you will be doing it because you know that it's the right thing to do and what it does for your heart.

 

Everyone can do it.  Many do.  Some don't.  Are you doing what everyone can do?