Weekend Kindness
Reaching Others Through Kindness

Today’s Weekend Kindness mission will cost you something and you’ll have to have a loved one that reads the paper:

Place a love message in the “personal” section of the classified ads in your local paper.

Now, I’m not sure what kind of ad you’d have to put in there to get your loved one’s attention.  Perhaps a picture of the two of you in the comics– hmm… that might be too corny.

If you put it in the Personal’s section and he finds it there, that could be a sign that trouble is brewing.

Perhaps the best place is somewhere that you know she is reading already and then put something that will attract attention– with lots of hearts, Xs and Os or something.

In any case, let them know that you’re feeling loved.

I don’t know if you do this, but I have this tendency, if I let me mind go, I find myself looking at worst case scenarios.  When I was a kid, I actually got into the habit of trying to expecting the worse, even if I was going to an amusement park, so I would not be disappointed.

But I don’t know how often I’ve actually thought through the “worst case scenarios” when my wife and kids have gone somewhere without me– especially if they don’t check in.

I can remember one time in particular that I came home and they were no where to be found, and I expected them to be home– and I didn’t know what to think.

The latest instance of this was the other day when we took our child to the ER.  My wife was especially effected, thinking about what it would be like if he were to die.

Am we strange, or is this something that you’ve done as well?

The Bible promises that God never gives us more than we can handle.  These past few weeks have been a test of that principle.

A couple weeks back, I told you all about how we had to rush up to a bigger hospital because doctors believed that my oldest son might have a mal-rotated intestine.

Last night, it was my middle son.

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Twelve years ago, when I was a newlywed, I took a Bible study at my church called Loving Your Husband. The Bible study was great, but even better was what I learned from the woman who led the study.

Her name was Carolyn, and she was in her 50s, I believe. She had the sweetest disposition, and she wasn’t afraid to share mistakes she had made over the course of her marriage. She would always begin important points by addressing us as “ladies”.

One evening, Carolyn was talking about arguments between husbands and wives. “Ladies,” she said, “Your husband is not the enemy. Always remember that.”

That one sentence has stuck with me through 12 years of marriage. Satan would love to see Christian families torn apart. He is the enemy, not my husband.

When you’re in the midst of a disagreement, it’s easy to see the other person as the enemy. It’s not true. Always remember that you are both working toward the good of your family, even if you have different ideas. Ladies, seek to understand your husband’s point of view, even if you don’t agree with it. Never forget that your husband is a child of God; a gift to be loved and respected. Always show respect toward your husband, even if you can’t see eye to eye with him.

Ladies, your husband is not the enemy.

All my life I’ve had penpals. Emails are grand, but nothing equals finding a personal letter in the mailbox…its pages filled with hand-written warmth.

Recently, a friend of mine, whom, incidentally, I haven’t seen since 5th grade, sent me a letter. Over the years our correspondence has dwindled, but we still manage to exchange Christmas cards and the occasional newsy letter. Pictures of the kids, details of life, chatty idealisms.

This missive delivered on all the above counts, so much so, that it lifted my spirits as a mini-care package would have.

It also contained three of her family’s favorite recipes–perfect ones for autumn cozies. I wanted to share one of them with you, and encourage you to sit down with a few lovely pages of stationary and the friend of your heart. It will do you both good…to know, that across the miles, someone is thinking of them and taking a few moments to let them know.

Wendy’s Pumpkin Soup

1. Melt 2 TB butter or margarine in a large kettle
2. Add 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper (optional) and 1 small chopped onion
3. Saute bell pepper and onion in melted butter till soft, not brown
4. Blend in 2 TB flour and 1 tsp salt
5. Add 2 cups chicken stock, 1 15 oz can unsweetened pumpkin, 2 cups milk, 1/8 tsp thyme, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp parsley, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 cups precooked poultry (chicken or turkey), 1 cup precooked brown rice.
6. Cook till heated through and enjoy!

I’ve made this three times already–we love this recipe.

And each time we sit down to this specialty, I wonder perhaps, several states away, if my good friend Wendy is dishing it up for her loved ones?

This was in our church bulletin recently, and I thought it was worth sharing with you.

What Really Counts

Don’t tell me what you’ll do,
When you have time to spare.
Tell me what you did today
To ease a load of care.

Don’t tell me what you will give
When your ship comes in from sea;
Tell me what you gave today -
A fettered soul to free.

Don’t tell me the dreams you have
Of conquest still afar.
Don’t say what you hope to be,
But show me what you are.

-Author Unknown