Senior Bowling - The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional

Senior Bowling

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Philippians 2:1-2

One year as Christmas approached, our friend Carl contacted a local nursing home wondering if there was something he and his family could do for the residents over the holidays. The staff quickly responded that, yes, there was something they could do. Several residents did not have family that lived in the area and wouldn’t be expecting any visitors over the holidays. They then asked if he’d like to come and bowl with the residents on Christmas Eve (bowling being one of their favorite activities).

Our friend said yes, and as he relayed the conversation to Kyle and me, he asked if we’d like to join their family. We immediately agreed. We explained to our own extended families that we’d need to move our Christmas Eve gathering around a bit and then planned to meet our friends.

As we walked into the nursing home a few weeks later, the facility was quieter than usual, with many residents out with family members. The activities coordinator brought us into the gathering room where we’d bowl together. We spent the next couple of hours bowling and cheering each other on. The kids set up the pins after each ball was thrown, and we passed out flowers and treats that we’d brought for the residents. It became a favorite memory my kids still talk about today.

As Christians, if we’ve received any encouragement, any comfort from God’s love, or any fellowship from his people, then we should, in turn, love one another and work together with one mind and purpose. Acts of kindness are good things to do on your own, but gather a friend or two and somehow the excitement grows exponentially. Just as our friend Carl invited us to join what his family was already doing, we can do the same with our kind acts. Who could you ask today to join you?

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Invite someone to go with you to do something for a local nursing home—stop by with treats, visit the residents, or ask to join an activity.