Kindness Matters

Kindness really matters.  It is the little things that make a huge difference each and every day. 

You never know what a hug can do for someone.. a phone call to check up on someone. That person may be facing terminal cancer, or severe depression, you see, and that day, they may have thought of ending their life.  I have seen how kindness, acts of extreme love can change a bad day into a great one for someone. 

It takes courage to step out and be kind to people you may not know, but I have seen and found out that these are the greatest of all acts where coupled with intentional love and prayer to really make a difference in this world and every day, you CAN be someone’s greatest encourager, lifter of their spirits, friend….and blessing!

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​One Christmas Eve, when my family and I went to a very expensive Asian restaurant, we had finished eating and my husband was about to pay the bill, and our waitress said, “Oh, your bill is paid for, sir, someone at the bar paid your bill, anonymously since they said it was Christmas time and your family was so beautiful.”  Tears started to roll down my face, as I asked, “Can you please show me, who paid for our bill?”  The waitress said, “The lady left already, sorry.” I kept crying and my husband hugged me saying, “See Elaine there are a lot of good people in this world…”. 

I felt God right then and there.  It felt as though, God had wanted to bless us and this lady was used by God to bless us!!
My husband and I were astonished, since the bill was so high too!  Were were so thankful and grateful for what this lady had done that evening.

This is an example of a random act of kindness, I myself had experienced firsthand.  I still remember this day, restaurant, where we were sitting, my reaction, everything …..7 years ago, like it was yesterday.  What a beautiful thing to be blessed to be a blessing.  If more people stepped out in faith and did things like this more often.  To be sensitive to others, empathetic, kind and compassionate! Wow!

I think God wants us to be like this always.  I also think He waits to see if were are willing to show radical love, radical grace, radical gifting towards others and it literally makes Him smile :) He also, helps accomplish these random acts of kindness at the right time, place, and people! I have seen it time and time again!

I myself have learned to with intention radically love, show grace and mercy, give like The Lord and surprise people.  It puts a smile on my face and it encourages me that I can with something as small as a card, flowers, chocolate, praying for someone, just listening to someone non-judgmentally, hugging someone who is crying MAKE A DIFFERENCE and spread love and kindness everywhere.  I see their countenance change, they perk up like a flower being watered after not being given water for weeks.  See, we are so busy, so in our own world at times, we forget that we were created with and for a purpose.  

I want to encourage others out there to live with intention, purpose, even if it is as simple as intentionally smiling at people throughout your workday or saying, “Hello, How are you today?”  I literally just asked a telemarketer that on the phone today and He said, “Thank you, no one ever asks me that…”. That made me so sad.  Oh, if we took our eyes off ourselves, our worries, our dilemmas, the wash, the errands and just live in the moment enjoying life, people, and being a blessing to others, even if it is as little as opening the door for someone at a store.  

So don’t be bogged down with the cares or worries of this world, God will take care of you, focus of the things that matter, and I have found it truly is the little things…

1. A smile
2. A hug
3. A card
4. A phone call
5. Prayer for someone struggling
6. Offering to pay for someone’s groceries or gas 
7. Asking others, “How are you doing today?” With sincerity…
8. Listening to others
9. Visiting the elderly
10. Sending flowers to a loved one
11. Send a text to your friend 
12. Laugh a lot especially when things get tense
13. Walk your neighbor’s dog
14. Shovel your neighbor’s driveway
15. Offer to pay for someone’s coffee 
16. Invite someone out to lunch after church
17. Hold your loved ones hand
18. Tell people “I love you” …and mean it
19. Offer to help a struggling single mom
20. Check up on friends who you have not seen for a while, maybe they are not doing well…
21. Chocolate!! Need I say more….

Author: Elaine Dridi
Elaine is a Greek American. She has been in the pharmacy practice for 24 years and grew up in Wisconsin. Her parents grew up in Greece and immigrated to the United States. 
Elaine is married to a Tunisian man and has two amazing boys. Her family is everything to her and are her greatest treasure. Elaine says her boys learn and enjoy both their Greek & Tunisian cultures. They have two dogs and a conure and enjoy as much time with their animals and out in nature.
Elaine is the first Apostolic Christian in her family. She enjoys praise dance and worship, especially with flags. She also enjoys authentic cuisine and says her parents are the best cooks ever.
Elaine has a beautiful heart and is a huge advocate for mental health and wellness. She currently works part time in a counseling center. She shares with others that she has struggled with mental health issues, abuse and trauma and by the grace of God overcame and now advocates for those who struggle with or have dealt with these types of issues.  If she could help anyone understand one thing it would be that "God is so good and merciful. He has shown me love and redemption. He has given me the tools to live one day at a time and the rest is in His hands. He does make all things work for good according to His plans and pleasures and in His timing".

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