Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. ~ Mother Teresa
Many years ago during the Christmas season when I was a new mom, I had to run to the grocery store late at night with a 5 month old baby. Our pantry was bare and it was the only window of time I could get the job done.
As I hurried up and down the aisles, my baby began to cry. He was ready to nurse and I was nowhere near being done with the shopping. The more he cried, the more I became self-conscious that everyone in the store was judging me. Finally, we got through the checkout line and I headed quickly to the car.
But when the store’s automatic doors opened up to the outside parking lot, we immediately turned around because it was pouring rain! I took one look at my cart full of groceries, my baby screaming, and the hair that I had finally washed and dried for the first time that week and didn’t want to be ruined by the rain, and I burst into tears.
It sounds silly that I joined my son in the crying, but as a new mom, I was feeling fragile about a lot of things. My limitations were ever before me. I didn’t know what to do. Everything seemed big and hard.
I looked up to heaven and prayed quietly, “Lord, help!”
Then suddenly – out of nowhere – a woman appeared with an umbrella. She offered to watch my cart while I used her umbrella to load the baby and pull our car closer so that I could load it up with her help.
That evening after the groceries were put away and my son was tucked safely in bed, I spent time thanking God for the precious woman who had been obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Her small act of kindness changed the course of my entire night. It was a holy intervention.
A Christmas miracle.
What if YOU could be someone’s Christmas miracle this month?
If you want to be intentional about sharing His light and love with others – I have an exciting new printable for you today – the first day of December.
I would like to invite you into the JOYServe Advent Christmas Kindness Countdown experience this month.
Each day during the month of December, this brand new printable features one simple act of kindness that you can do with your kids to bless and serve others.
These daily acts don’t require a lot of expensive items or massive amounts of time.
You just need a heart willing to serve.
And maybe an umbrella. 😉
When we choose selfless service and a life focused on others, we take on the very nature of Christ. We get to reflect the truth that He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). And when we serve, desiring to glorify the Father, as Jesus did, we find a joy that knows no bounds.
Click HERE for your FREE Printable JOYServe Advent Christmas Kindness Countdown Calendar!
Let me know if you join me in the JoyServe Advent Christmas Kindness Countdown this year! Make sure to use hashtag #joyserve to document your daily kindness adventures. May the Lord bless you as you bless others!
Joyfully,
Julie 🙂
*Thank you to my sweet niece, Rebekah, for helping me to create this FREE Printable for you all!
The “replace a neighbor’s doormat with a Christmas one” is technically called theft. Some of these are inappropriate. I like the idea of the Joy and Serve, just not some of the suggested activities.
Laura, DEFINITELY not encouraging theft here. I never take the old doormat away. I just place the new one on top! I figured everyone would think to do that, too, or think to just move the old one aside! Thanks for the feedback!
I love these ideas! So simple and kind!
Ellen, This means so much! Thank you so so much! God bless you!
What an awesome idea! I love the thought of truly serving each day. I usually give a Starbucks gift card to my mail carrier and garbage collectors so they can have something hot for the cold days being outside. The meal to the pastor and candy cane ideas are the ones I’m most excited about. I’ve never taken a meal to the pastor “just because” so I know they’d be thrilled with this idea. And, although I typically make cookies for some of my neighbors, the candy cane idea for all of them down the street and giving them to the houses with the nativities in their yard would be a special blessing to everyone gifted.
Sweet Kelly! This comment really encouraged me! Thank you for taking the time to write your precious thoughts to me! God bless you!