Acts of Kindness While Social Distancing

I think this last week and a half will go down as one of the strangest I have ever experienced! We have been launched into a completely new world of isolation, homeschooling, working from home, and toilet-paper-rationing.

And if I am being completely honest, the last thing is the hardest for me. 😜

All of the uncertainty in our world right now can stir up quite a bit of fear in the human heart, so I have to be intentional about where I park my thoughts. If I am not careful, I can head down a mental path of what-ifs that will leave me paralyzed. But I am clearly no help to anyone in my world if I am huddled in the corner in the fetal position.

So what can I do to stand against anxiety? Look to the cross.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18

If Jesus Christ chose to lay down HIS life for me, then I can lay down mine for others. HIS love is our holy motivator to get up off the floor and serve.

When we do this, we will not only fulfill God’s greatest commands to love Him and love others, but also we will make a difference in a world that, in this very moment in time, is hurting and in desperate need of light.

You might be wondering – how can I make a difference in someone’s life if I cannot even leave my house?

Today I am sharing 6 simple ways YOU can spread light and love in your community – all while practicing social distancing.

Make a Call

People are getting lonely at home. Pick someone and call them the old-fashioned way. Talk. Ask them how they are doing. See if they have any needs or prayer requests. Let them know you are thinking about them. Bonus points if you call someone who is living alone and is over 65, or someone who has recently become unemployed.

Chalk the Walk

I have been taking my kids outside for a little bit every day just to get out of the house. Spread some neighborhood cheer by leaving happy chalk messages on the sidewalks. Try a Bible verse like Isaiah 41:10 or a simple “Jesus Loves You.” Who knows? Maybe it will start a movement in your neighborhood like it did HERE.

Tell a Joke

The Lord wasn’t kidding when he said in Proverbs 17:22 that, “A happy heart is good medicine.” Laughter can be truly healing for those who are struggling. It’s why comedy became wildly popular during the Great Depression. Take a video of your child (or yourself) telling some super cheesy Easter jokes and send to someone who needs a pick-me-up. I found a great list of Easter jokes HERE.

Send a Note

I cannot think of anything happier than snail mail. The post office is still running, so grab a pen and paper like ye olden days and write a note to someone. Include some homemade confetti (easy instructions HERE). Everyone has time to clean up that kind of a mess right now. It will be a welcome distraction. 😉 If you don’t want to leave the house for a card and stamps, try the Hallmark Shoebox app where you get to pick out the card and write the words and they take care of the postage and mailing! If you want to send something a little more instant, I absolutely love the CardSnacks app! It is the happiest medium between a mailed card and a text message.

Order a Pizza

So many of us have been suddenly called into the world of homeschooling/working from home. Managing multiple children’s school work and needs is exhausting. Plus we are trying to keep them all quiet while the husband is on his 8,000th Zoom call. Most days I am like “ARE WE IN THE END TIMES?” because trying to figure out my son’s 4th grade math is right up there with the Great Tribulation. If you know a mama in a similar place, pick up the phone and order her a pizza and take one thing off of her to-do list while she is busy googling “what is a compatible number?”

*When ordering food for someone, bonus points if it is from a local restaurant that is trying to remain open during this pandemic!

Share Your Bounty

The other day I texted a friend what she was doing and she wrote back, “Just got back from dropping off some toilet paper at my neighbor’s house.” I was floored. In a world that is literally going crazy for TP right now, instead of hoarding, she was sharing. That is God’s heart. What do you have that you could give away to help someone in need? Just remember to do a Ding Dong Ditch delivery and wear gloves!

In the end, this season can be one where your kiddos remember you walking around tied up in knots, impatient, and stressed, or one where you are walking in peace, sharing with others, and spreading light and love. I recently told a friend that right now we need to lower our expectations and heighten our love. It covers over a multitude of sins.

And math problems.

Joyfully,

Julie

“He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25