RAKS

What are RAKS, you ask? Before Christmas I read a friend's blog and was inspired. A RAK is a Random Act of Kindness. We are always trying to teach our children to give to others when we have the opportunity but really how often to do put that into action. So after reading Tammy's blog post (you must read it yourself) I was inspired to put it into action. As usual I had these big plans of doing something every day for the month of december but of course the time got away from me and we weren't able to do them. However we did get our Sunday School kids together one day before Christmas. We met at the church and had a fun filled time of baking and decorating cookies to give to someone else. I told them that they were going to get to take atleast one plate of cookies home with them but the rule was that they couldn't keep them. I wanted them to take a moment and think of someone they could bless with the cookies. Did they know someone who was spending the holiday alone, or someone who had to work on Christmas.

My Kimberly had a hard time deciding who would be the best recipient of her cookies and then on Christmas Eve she made her choice. After we were finished with our family time for the day and she had placed her cookies out for Santa and the carrots out for the reindeer, we put on our coats and got in the car. She decided that she wanted to take a plate of cookies to the Sheriff's office and another to the gal who was working at the convenience store. I went in with her at the Sheriff's office but let her go into the convenience store by herself. Sitting in the car I watched her as she walked to the counter and waited patiently for the young lady who was working to finish what she was doing and come to her. Then she handed her the plate of cookies and said "I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas" and walked out. I have never seen my child so radiant before. She beemed at the opportunity to bless someone else. And I would swear she walked out of that store six inches taller.

So this leads me to our plan for Valentines Day. We are doing 14 days of Random Acts of Loving Kindness. We have our list together and are ready to get started. Kimberly is very excited at the prospects we have lined up. I will take pics and post them as I can and I challenge you to do something for someone else. It doesn't have to be anything big, what may be small to you might just be the biggest thing in the world to someone else. And it doesn't have to even cost you any money. Sometimes simply smiling and saying hello to someone will make all the difference in the world to them. Think about it, what can I do today to brighten someone else's day?