Incremental Kindness

Incremental Kindness

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Philippians 2:4

As a mom, I make a lot of trips to Target. It’s pretty much my happy place, especially if I don’t have kids begging me to buy the new Barbie movie or trying to surreptitiously sneak treats into the cart. Give me a caffè mocha and an empty cart, and I will gladly wander that wonderland for hours.

Throughout our year of kindness, I specifically wanted to find ways to help others without breaking the bank. It’s fun to give away big-ticket items, but it’s not usually practical. Most folks can’t afford to spend a lot of money every day giving to others, even if it’s for a great cause.

Scripture says to “take an interest in others,” which includes intentionally looking for ways to consistently help others—not just helping in big ways. What I found during the year was that, because I always had the premise of kindness in mind, I would find little ways to contribute to larger needs. For instance, we always try to have new socks stocked in the Diva Boutique at the retreat for single moms, where moms can shop for free from a room full of new and gently used clothing and accessories. So I made it my mission to stock up on socks to give away at the boutique.

For several months, each time I went to Target, I would try to pick up socks. They didn’t cost a lot of money to begin with, and they were often on sale, too. Even though it didn’t seem like much in my cart each time, as the year progressed, I found myself with a decent-sized bag full of socks waiting in my storeroom. Yet since I did this a little bit at a time, the cost was a tiny bump in my budget rather than a massive mountain.

Have you put pressure on yourself to do or give only in big ways? Remember that each small contribution makes a difference, and over time, small gifts add up to something great.

—Kristin

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Think of something you’d like to contribute to—whether it’s donating food to the local food pantry or gathering school supplies for children in need—and begin your incremental kindness in pursuit of a larger goal.