random acts of kindness

1/4/2018

Have you shown kindness to others recently? A few weeks ago, I went through the Starbucks drive-thru for my daily dose of caffeine. When I reached the window to pay, I was told that the woman ahead of me already covered the cost of my coffee! I was so astonished by her kindness that I passed that joy along to the next person in line. I was hoping that the acts of kindness continued in the same way all day.

Did you know that research suggests showing kindness
to others increases a person’s level of happiness? These findings certainly can be one reason to be kind to others, but one’s own happiness ignores the reason why we are compelled to show kindness to others – even undeserved kindness. We love because Christ first loved us (1 John 4:19), and Christ’s love produces fruit which ultimately compels others to love and be kind; hence the saying, “Spread the love.” After all, love and kindness are two of the fruitful attributes mentioned in God’s Word as followers of Christ, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

At New Beginnings, the mothers and staff are overwhelmed with kindness and acts of love. I know that often the acts of kindness are the result of God’s love and grace that compel others to share that gift. In this issue, we want to share with you just a few of the acts of kindness and love that individuals have shown the mothers and babies at New Beginnings these last few months. I hope that, like me, you are compelled to show love to others through your actions in your home, your community, and in your church as expressions of love for Christ and his redemptive work. What act of kindness will you show to another person this week?
Tell us by commenting below!

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

Brianne Hansen is the Executive Director at New Beginnings. She grew up in Marshall, WI and graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School. Brianne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UW-Milwaukee and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys singing, camping, spending time with her dog (Bella) and cats (Mufasa & Jasmine), and going on adventures with her husband, Daniel.

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