31 Days of Kindness

“Be kind and compassionate to one another….” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV)

Is it really that simple?  We’re going to find out in six days.  We’re calling the month of March: “31 Days of Kindness.”  Each of us will do one kind act for someone every day that month – your spouse, a stranger, a co-worker.  We’re not seeking anything in return.  We’re doing it because the Lord commanded it.  Imagine if each of us woke up every morning in March looking to do something nice for someone else!  Imagine if each of us asked God in the morning: “Lord, who can I bless today?”  Can you imagine the results?

Your deed doesn’t have to be large.  You don’t need to tell them this is a “church project.”  You don’t even need to mention Jesus (but I encourage you to).  Just turn you heart and eyes outward and let God do the rest. We might find that the greatest work God does is in each of us.  If you have a cool story about what God does, tell us (email me at pastorjim@newlifenton.org or we’ll have a place on the church FB page).

Some of you, like me, may be “kindness impaired”…so my wife came up with this list of 70 suggestions (you can pick up a copy at church on Sunday).  It’s going to be a GREAT month!

Ideas for Individuals, Families, Life Groups, and Ministries

1. Write a letter to someone you know who could use some extra attention.
2. Pay the bill for the person behind you in line at the drive through.
3. Leave microwave popcorn bags next to a Redbox vending machine.
4. Help someone whose car is broken down.
5. Thank a veteran.
6. Host a barbecue in your driveway for your neighbors and anyone who drives by.
7. Help a stranger with their groceries.
8. Cook a meal for someone.
9. Invite a guest or someone new to lunch after church.
10. Invite a single mom to lunch…with her kids.
11. Mow a neighbor’s lawn.
12. Leave a sticky note with an inspirational message for a co-worker.
13. Deliver food to a fire station or group home.
14. Call or write to a teacher who changed your life or let your kids write one to their teacher.
15. Bring a box of doughnuts to share at the office.
16. Help a friend pack for a move.
17. Pass along a great book you’ve read.
18. Create a worship CD for a friend who may need it.
19. If it’s hot, give out cold or warm drinks to your mail carrier, garbage men, or crossing guards.
20. Bake cookies and give them to a local fire station, police station, or other group.
21. Ninja dinner drive-by! Drop off a meal to another family.
22. Create homeless care packages and give them away while running errands.
23. Bake someone a cake.
24. Put 50–100 paper hearts or smiley faces in a box. Give them to someone who needs love or a smile.
25. Find opportunities to give compliments.
26. If you know someone is overwhelmed – perhaps by a new baby, family health issues, or something else – give them a call when you’re going out to the store. Ask if they’d like you to pick something up.
27. Why not take flowers to the nursing station at a hospital — for the nurses.
28. Say “thank you” or send a “thank you” note to someone who made a difference.
29. Write a letter to a deployed or wounded member of the military.
30. Send cards to lonely seniors.
31. Send a crazy letter or postcard to make someone laugh.
32. Cut out an article and send it to someone. “I thought about you when I saw this
33. Take a cute photo of someone you love and mail or email it to them.
34. Don’t interrupt.
35. Do something special that you know your spouse will appreciate.
36. Encourage someone to pursue her dreams.
37. Give someone the benefit of the doubt.
38. Everyone is important. Learn the names of your office security guard, the person at the front desk and other people you see every day. Greet them by name.
39. Follow up with someone you were kind to..
40. Losing a loved one is painful and so is going through a divorce. Even in the months that follow, an occasional friendly note makes a big difference – even if the person sending it wasn’t a close friend.
41. Pay for someone’s dinner…
42. Write an encouraging letter to a missionary and send a donation if possible.
43. Offer a ride to church.
44. Buy a small gift for someone. Just because.
45. Let another car merge in front of you, or stop to let a pedestrian cross the street.
46. Leave a big tip.
47. Call someone you love. Tell him you love him.
48. Carry around a $5 gift card so you can give it to someone …just because.
49. Host a garage sale but give everything away.
50. Canvas your neighborhood with balloons just to brighten the day.
51. Leave $20 at the counter at the library to pay fines for the day.
52. Play Pictionary on the square and invite strangers to play.
53. Give away donuts during morning rush hour.
54. Give out ice cream coupons on the square.
55. Take and give away instant photos of friends and couples walking around.
56. Clean an elderly neighbor’s rain gutter.
57. Return your neighbor’s garbage can from the street for them.
58. Give away a spring plant or packets of seeds
59. Give away dog treats at the dog park.
60. Free Car Wash “Free—No Kidding—Car Wash!”
61. Grill hotdogs at a local apartment complex for dinner. Provide music and you got a party!
62. Offer to babysit for a single mom so she can have a night out or for a couple who needs a date night.
63. Drop a dollar or another bill at the mall with a note attached that says, “You are loved”.
64. Fill up someone’s gas tank next to you at the pump.

What about blessing a college student?

65. Give a college student stationery and stamps to write home to parents.
66. Pass out Breakfast – Pop-Tarts on campus.
67. Purchase test essay booklets and answer sheets from the campus bookstore and pass them out to students.
68. Buy coffee and/or tea at the coffee shop during late-night study sessions.
69. Prepare and give away a care package for a college student or an entire dorm. Include items like packages of hot chocolate, microwave popcorn, cookies, mints, and gum.
70. Visit a restaurant on campus and buy a lunch.

Share your kind acts and ideas on social media with #31DaysofKindness, or comment below!