http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5:16&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:10&version=NIV1984
On Valetine’s Day I ran across a rather unique website. That’s saying something with the wide range of websites that are available on the Internet. This particular website is called 366 Random Acts Of Kindness. It is the product of Ryan Garcia. Garcia is a 30-year-old sales representative who lives in Chicago. As you might deduce from the title of his website, Garcia’s goal for 2012 is to do one random act of kindness each day. For the entire year. Talk about a lofty goal, this is it!
As 2012 approached, Garcia was still basking in the glow of being a first-time dad to his daughter, Isla. She became the inspiration behind his adventure. On his December 31st post, Garcia wrote the following:
As 2012 approached, Garcia was still basking in the glow of being a first-time dad to his daughter, Isla. She became the inspiration behind his adventure. On his December 31st post, Garcia wrote the following:
My daughter is 3 months old. She is starting to become more and more aware of her surroundings every single day. As of now, she doesn't have a worry in the world and I intend to keep it that way. I also want her to appreciate what she has and strive to give back to those around her. There are a ton of people out there who have worries both big and small. I know I can't solve every problem for every person, but I am going to try to do my part.
So since January 1st Garcia has been involved in performing one random act of kindness per day. This has included giving out free hugs in downtown Chicago, climbing 80 flights of stairs for a children’s fund raiser, and clearing the snow off of all the vehicles parked on his block. We’re talking city block here! In addition to his daily acts of service, Garcia is donating 10 cents for every ‘like’ on his website and every follower.
So since January 1st Garcia has been involved in performing one random act of kindness per day. This has included giving out free hugs in downtown Chicago, climbing 80 flights of stairs for a children’s fund raiser, and clearing the snow off of all the vehicles parked on his block. We’re talking city block here! In addition to his daily acts of service, Garcia is donating 10 cents for every ‘like’ on his website and every follower.
A month-and-a-half into his project, Garcia has already touched the lives of many people. A soldier and his family whom he took out to a college basketball game. An inner city pastor who’s trying to raise money to build a community center in crime-infested area of the city. A teenager who’s been battling brain cancer for 3 years. And he is inspiring others to do the same. Reports have come in of others who are also doing random acts of kindness of their own.
So do you really believe that one person can’t make a difference in the world? Ryan Garcia is proof that one person, living among 8 million others, can make a difference. The fact is that any person can make a difference. Young or old. Rich or poor. Male or female. Black or white. All you have to do is something. Anything. For someone else. Of course, as Christians, this should be a regular part of our lives. It is one of the reasons why we exist. So that the love of God can flow through us to the lives of others.
I encourage you to stop by and visit Garcia’s website. http://www.366randomacts.org/ And to pray about what random acts of kindness you might be able to do for others. Like letting others go first. Or giving someone a compliment. Or a helping hand. Volunteering. Or donating something. Or giving a financial gift to someone or to some worthwhile organization. It’s just like Jesus said. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” So try giving. Do an act of random kindness today. And make a difference in the world.
Lord, help me to realize that You want to make a difference in the world. And that You want to use me in the process. Give me eyes to see ways that I can touch the lives of others. Through a compliment. A smile. A word of encouragement. A helping hand. In so doing help me to reflect Your love for others. And may people be drawn to You in the process. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
So do you really believe that one person can’t make a difference in the world? Ryan Garcia is proof that one person, living among 8 million others, can make a difference. The fact is that any person can make a difference. Young or old. Rich or poor. Male or female. Black or white. All you have to do is something. Anything. For someone else. Of course, as Christians, this should be a regular part of our lives. It is one of the reasons why we exist. So that the love of God can flow through us to the lives of others.
I encourage you to stop by and visit Garcia’s website. http://www.366randomacts.org/ And to pray about what random acts of kindness you might be able to do for others. Like letting others go first. Or giving someone a compliment. Or a helping hand. Volunteering. Or donating something. Or giving a financial gift to someone or to some worthwhile organization. It’s just like Jesus said. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” So try giving. Do an act of random kindness today. And make a difference in the world.
Lord, help me to realize that You want to make a difference in the world. And that You want to use me in the process. Give me eyes to see ways that I can touch the lives of others. Through a compliment. A smile. A word of encouragement. A helping hand. In so doing help me to reflect Your love for others. And may people be drawn to You in the process. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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