Kindness Bingo

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

Tabitha had three boys under the age of eight. She loved her sons but like many parents, she was exasperated by their continual bickering. “I tried everything to get them to stop but nothing seemed to work.”

Until the day she had an idea. Why not turn being kind into a game? “My boys love video games and I thought if I could turn being kind to each other and the people around them into a game format, I might get through.”

So, Tabitha looked on Pinterest and found plenty of ideas that she could add to the kindness bingo sheets she was creating. Some of the ideas she used included:

·         Play with someone new during recess

·         Share a toy with my brother

·         Give a nice compliment to someone

·         Do a chore for my brother

·         Draw or color a picture for someone

·         Hug a family member

·         Help my brother with his homework

“I encourage each of my kids to do four acts of kindness each day so they can claim bingo,” says Tabitha, “It’s not perfect but the boys are becoming more thoughtful and aware of how their actions affect other people.”

You don’t have to be a kid to play kindness bingo. You can do it yourself by regularly looking for opportunities to show kindness toward others.

God, help me to set an example of kindness in my own home. I want to encourage and support my loved ones. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Through Thick and Thin

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” -Ruth 1:16 (NIV)

Ruth was a Moabite woman that married into an Israelite family. After the death of her husband and the other male leaders in her home, Naomi, her mother-in-law came to Ruth. Naomi explained that the famine in her homeland had finally ended and she was going to return.

But Naomi advised both Ruth and her other daughter-in-law to return to their relatives. Though Naomi was a poor widow, she knew the other women were still young enough to remarry and live good lives. She wished them the best and urged them to start over.

Ruth could have left. She could have returned to everything that was familiar to her. But she felt a protective rush for the older woman she had grown to love. So, she spoke kindly and reassured her mother-in-law, promising to stay by her side.

When everyone else was willing to give up on Naomi, Ruth stuck with her. It’s easy to be faithful to someone in good times—when there’s more than enough to eat when there are job promotions and positive pregnancy tests.

But it’s much harder to be loyal when it feels like everything is falling apart—there’s a new medical bill to add to the stack, a job loss, or yet another painful rejection. But just like He saw Ruth, God sees your faithfulness. He sees you right where you are and your story isn’t over yet.

God, help me to be a faithful friend and a loyal companion. Even when things aren’t going right, You’re still holding onto me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
 

When Love Serves

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” – John 12:3 (NIV)

Mary was a prostitute who experienced the love of Jesus. When she became His follower, her life radically changed. As a result of her gratitude, she went to the home where He was feasting.

There, in front of everyone, Mary began pouring out expensive perfume on Jesus and washing his feet with her own tears.

While she was in the middle of worshipping Jesus, others at the table began complaining. They wanted to know why Mary hadn’t sold the perfume and used the money to feed the poor.

Sometimes, when another Christ-follower is ministering, we can be tempted to complain, too. We might say, “Yes, she helps out with the kids’ ministry but did you see how short her skirt was?” or “Who does he think is, telling people about God’s love with a past like that?”

It’s tempting to criticize others when they don’t love the way we think they should or they don’t work in the same ministry. But the story of Mary proves that Jesus sees beyond all of that to the heart underneath. For he said, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” (Matthew 26:10).

God, thank You for those who build the kingdom! Let me be supportive when I see others serving You in a way that’s different or unexpected. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Love Languages

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” – 1 John 4:7 (NIV)

John was an EMT. He married his high school sweetheart shortly after they graduated college together. For the first few years, John described his marriage as wonderful.

But as time went on, John struggled. He would come home from long shifts and his wife would complain that he never spent time with her. Once, she said she doubted that he loved her.

John didn’t know what to say so he just retreated.

“I love her,” he explained later to his mentor, an older man who had taken John under his wing. “She’s saying I don’t spend time with her but that’s because I’m busy working so hard to get us out of debt. Can’t she see that everything I do is for her and our family?”

John’s mentor said, “There’s a book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. The idea behind the book is that there are five universal ways humans express their love for each other.”

He went on to add, “Often in relationships, one person says I love in their language while the other is saying I love you in a different one. Your wife’s love language is probably quality time while yours might be acts of service.”

John nodded as understanding dawned. “So, you’re saying I need to say I love you in her language instead of mine.”

It can be hard when a friend or family member speaks a different love language than you do. But learning to speak their language is an important part of making them feel loved and valued.

God, sometimes, loving others is hard. Help me to understand how to show others I really care about them in the language they need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

On the Way to Friendship

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)

Linda always dreaded the walk down the hallway to her apartment when she was with her toddlers. The young kids were often loud and would prompt her neighbor Gladys to fuss about the noise.

Gladys was an older woman who seemed perpetually unhappy. Linda once mentioned to her husband that she’d never seen the woman smile. “She always looks angry with the world…and the boys.” She sighed, thinking of their sons.

As Linda was coming up the stairs with her groceries and her toddlers, a bag slipped from her hand. Her groceries spilled into the hallway and she was busy trying to gather them when Gladys opened her door to complain.

Since she was distracted, Linda’s three-year-old was able to dart into the older woman’s apartment. Linda quickly followed after him, apologizing the entire time. She scooped her squirming toddler up and as she did, she caught sight of a display.

It was a memorial to Gladys’ son, a soldier in the military who hadn’t returned from his last mission. “It made me see Gladys in a whole new light,” Linda said to her husband that night.

From then on, Linda made it a habit to reach out to Gladys. She’d stop by just to bring a plate of cookies or she’d offer to pick up the woman’s groceries. It took time but Linda noticed that Gladys is beginning to warm up to her.

“We’re not besties,” Linda laughs, “But I think we’re on the way to friendship.”

God, when I’m tempted to judge someone else, help me to remember they may be dealing with deep pain. Let me be an instrument You use to bring healing and grace to their heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

The Last Meal

“For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ ” – 1 Kings 17:14 (NIV)

The Texas sun beat down on Maria’s head as she walked to the only convenience store in her tiny town. She was just about to step inside the store when a man who looked homeless reached for her arm.

She stepped back, feeling wary at first. But there was something about the look in the man’s eyes that relaxed her.

“Please, a bottle of water, I beg,” he said.

Maria reached into her pocket and felt for her change. The last bit of change she’d been able to scrape together. She’d spent over an hour searching for it.

“Perhaps a slice of bread, too,” the man said hopefully.

Maria sighed, her heartbreaking for the stranger. Tears filled her eyes and she whispered, “No, I’m sorry. I’m here to buy a final meal for my son and myself.” She pulled the crusty change from her pocket. “These are my last few cents.” Her voice trembled.

“Don’t be afraid,” the homeless man said softly. “Bring me a cup of water and a loaf of bread. Then go feed yourself and your son—for God Himself will provide for your family.”

The widow’s act of faith was also an act of love. She gave what she must have thought was the last of her food to Elijah, a stranger she hardly knew. She chose to trust that God saw her loving sacrifice and would provide for her.

God, let me be generous with every resource You’ve entrusted to me. I hold nothing back from Your hand. Everything I have is Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

New Places

“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” – Joshua 1:5-6

Joshua had spent years, learning from his mentor, Moses, and protecting the people of Israel. But the day came when Moses passed away and it was time for Joshua to lead the great nation that God had created.

God starts his instructions to Joshua by reassuring him of his holy presence. Then he goes on to command Joshua to be strong and courageous. It’s not that Joshua was cowardly, he was quite brave.

But God knew the difficult tasks that would lie ahead for Joshua. So, He promised his presence and encouraged him. He wanted Joshua to know that his nation was about to enter into the Promised Land.

It can be hard when God calls you out of the familiar. Joshua was comfortable living in the desert lands with the Israelites. He was accustomed to being a nomad. But God had bigger plans and longed to move His people.

When God calls you into new places, you don’t need to fear. He will be with you just as He was with Moses and Joshua. So take courage, precious one, God will guide you on your journey.

God, sometimes, new places are scary. It’s easy to feel small and want to hide out. But give me faith that’s bigger than my fears. Lead me in Your paths. In Jesus’ name, Amen.