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Day 86: Ripples of Kindness



June 9, 2020

Raise your hand if you’re tired of the corona virus!  (Sorry, I haven’t done anything “teacher-y” in a long time and I couldn’t help myself.)  Nothing has ever made me appreciate the simple, normal things in life like these last 86 days.  I wonder what normal will even look like when we see it again.  I am a “glass half-full” kind of person, so I have tried throughout this strange time to see all the good parts.  (More time with family, time to study God’s word, cleaner closets…)  Speaking of cleaner closets, one “business” that I know is booming is Goodwill.  I have made several drop-offs there and each time the donations are literally spilling off the curb.  That got me to thinking, what do they do with all that stuff?  I researched it some and found out that donated clothes go through quite a process.  Goodwill Retail to Goodwill Outlet and then down the chain to a textile recycler is the usual path.  Any of these is a better option than just throwing clothes away.  Over 12.8 million tons of textiles end up in landfills in America every year.  95% of our clothes could be reused or recycled if we disposed of them properly.  As for the money that Goodwill makes selling items, it goes towards community programs like job training, placement services, and classes for people who have disabilities or are otherwise challenged in finding traditional employment.  Donating “things” we no longer need or want is an easy way to show “good will” toward our fellow humans and at the same time also protect our planet.  There are other types of kindnesses that we can share.  If every person who was able, did one kind thing for someone else every day, imagine the impact that could have on the whole world.  Like a pebble thrown into the middle of a still pond, the ripples would spread.  What if we did at least one kind thing for someone we know and one for a total stranger?  Double ripples!  We can change the climate of our world, one or two pebbles at a time by being kind.  Let’s look around and see who needs help or encouragement.  Simply holding the door or a friendly nod could make someone feel better.  (Smiling at them is not as effective when you’re wearing a mask. LOL)  Remember, “doing good does good for the doer” (Max Lucado).  Kindness is free and should be easy to give, we just have to remember to do it.  Colossians 3:12 (TLB): “Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others.”  Ephesians 4:32 (KJV): “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  Be kind!  Smile and be joyful!

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