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Powerful Acts of Caring and Kindness
Caring is a powerful expression of love and kindness. As Christians, we are called to care for one another and our communities, but what does that really mean? Over and over again Jesus teaches us to show compassion; from acts of service like washing his friend's feet to loving words spoken with intention like the encouragement to “remain in my love” and the encouragement to “Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15).
Caring is all about being aware of the needs of others and doing what we can with what has been given. The miracle of the loaves and fishes is an amazing example and metaphor for starting with what you have, and with God’s help, seeing that multiplied (Matthew 15:32-39).
The words caring and compassion go together well, don’t they? The word “compassion” encapsulates the idea that care isn't just only looking out for oneself but also expressing kindness towards others. Hopefully, care is an integral part of how we interact with those around us. Whether it be on the job or at home with family, it’s helpful to be aware of everyone's best interests and to pay attention to even the smallest things. We are all interdependent - so it's important to care both for ourselves and those in our lives (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
Caring for others can be an incredibly difficult thing to do especially if you have a loved one who needs additional care. When caring for a loved one who needs additional care, it helps to make sure
you
are both healthy and happy. Here are some tips to help with caring for someone who needs additional assistance:
- Involve family and friends in the caring process
- Create a caring plan together with the parties who are providing assistance to understand the situation better and lay out expectations
- Caring doesn’t have to take place 24/7 by only one individual – by taking turns caring with others or scheduling specific times when caring needs to happen makes it much more manageable than trying to do everything yourself.
- Taking a few moments on your own helps too, so don’t forget to take time just for yourself. Caring for others may not always be easy, but there are ways that can make it less stressful.
Acts of Kindness
Caring for others is an act of kindness that will never go out of style. Whether it’s checking in with a friend when they’re down, or simply being there for someone when they need a listening ear, caring for others is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Being caring and just being there for each other serves as a reminder—we are not alone and that becomes ever clearer when we truly show up for each other. I have a friend who calls me a least once a month just to see how I’m doing. We only actually see eachother a few times a year, but I sure appreciate his occasional check ins and it makes me want to do the same for others.
Brighten Someone's Day
Showering someone with kindness is an incredibly powerful way to brighten their day and make them feel appreciated. Even something as small as a compliment or gesture of appreciation can have a lasting impact on the person's life. By making the effort to show that you care, the person on the receiving end will feel validated and supported and might result in them passing it on and doing the same for others.
Starbucks Drive Through
Have you ever been in the Starbucks drive through when people start paying for the people behind them? It's a great example of how a small act of kindness encourages others to do the same and how it gets passed on.
Take care!
As I've said throughout this article, caring for yourself and being kind to yourself is just as important as caring and being kind to others, so don't forget yourself and be intentionally kind and caring towards yourself as often as you can.
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