Acts of Kindness for Fall

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In a world of brokenness and sorrow, hate and violence, sickness and suffering, it can be easy to let the darkness weigh us down so much that we think there is no way we can make a difference. There are just TOO MANY PROBLEMS.

But I believe God calls us to shine – and the backdrop of darkness only serves to make our light shine brighter.

In her new book, Church of the Small Things (affiliate link), author Melanie Shankle writes, “What’s going on in the world right now can seem so overwhelming and too big for any one person to handle, but each of us can impact our small corner by loving our family, our friends, and asking God to show us what he’d have us do this day right where we are with what he has given us.”

You have the opportunity to make a difference right now. Be available to the Lord’s leading and then offer every small act of love up to Him as an act of worship.

Since it is October (my favorite month of all), I am sharing with you 10 simple ways YOU and your family can shine bright and be the blessing to others throughout this season.

Invitation

Invite someone over for some chili and Cheddar Biscuits. Maybe there is a new couple at church or a new family in your neighborhood that would benefit from making a connection. Keep it super casual – don’t clean the house too much. Just fling open your door and offer yummy food and good conversation.

Mum’s the Word

Mums are the flower of fall! You can find them pretty much everywhere – grocery stores, Target, etc. Purchase one and surprise leave it on someone’s doorstep with THIS FREE PRINTABLE TAG.

Pumpkin Drop

Buy an extra pumpkin and leave it on a co-worker’s desk with a note that says, “Happy Fall!” Or take a pumpkin to the school principal and include THIS CHRIST-CENTERED PUMPKIN FREE PRINTABLE.

#PSL

Buy a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks and take it to someone – your child’s teacher, your pastor, pastor’s wife, the church facilities director, etc. Attach one of THESE inspirational fall lunch box notes.

Mini Pumpkins

Put googly eyes on miniature pumpkins with some Glue Dots. Add a little smile with a Sharpie. Then take your kids around town and leave the happy pumpkins in random places. On a bench, in a public bathroom, on the sidewalk, etc. It will make people smile!

Reverse Trick-or-Treat

Have you ever thought about how fun it would be to go around on Halloween giving small gifts to every house you visit? Instead of having your kids focus on what they can get that evening, encourage them to give something with each stop along the journey. Try giving out a homemade muffin, my famous fall snack mix, or pumpkin bread.

Fall Candles

Ahhh does anyone just love going to Target to smell all of their fall candles? I DO. I bought some super amazing ones and gave them to the boys’ teachers on the first day of fall this year. They aren’t expensive and they smell SO GOOD. Or you could buy a candle and leave it in a friend’s bathroom as a surprise for them to find after you go home from a visit at their house.

Fall in Love

Don’t forget your hubby. Gather some fall leaves (real or fake) and put them all over the seat of his car. Include a note that says “I FALL more in love with you every day!” I did this for Mr. B. several years ago (see it HERE). 😉 You can find fall-themed romantic love notes HERE.

Cinnamon Surprise

One of the BEST things about fall is that moment when I walk into the grocery store and I smell the CINNAMON BROOMS. Have you ever bought one of these?! LIFE-CHANGING. Pick one up for a friend and slap on a cute bow before dropping it off.

Pastor Appreciation

Did you know that October is also Pastor Appreciation Month? These selfless people need our love and affirmation! You can find tons of easy ways to bless your pastor HERE and HERE. Decide as a family what you want to do together and then do it!

Which idea will you do today? All it takes is one small faithful act to change the course and brighten someone’s dark road.

Joyfully,

Julie 🙂