"Gratitude doesn't change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors."
- Richelle Goodrich
Last week we talked about thankfulness and what Thanksgiving is all about. We discussed that many of us forget to be thankful for what we do have, always wanting more and looking for the next best thing.
This week, let's think about those who are looking for the next best thing, which is a hot meal for their family. Their next best thing is a new pair of shoes for their son. A coat for the winter. Gloves and a hat for the first snowstorm of the year.
Our challenge to you this week - As you are going through your winter gear, getting things ready for the cold weather, take a look at what you own. Can you part with that extra pair of mittens? What about that scarf? If so, donate them to your church or the nearest place that helps homeless. Go through your pantry and donate any cans of food to your nearest food pantry. Or next time you are at the grocery store, throw a few extra cans of food in your cart that you can donate.
Today's Starfish
Devon and I collected cans this week and donated them for people in need. You CAN too!
"Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."
-William Arthur Ward
November is here - can you believe it? A month completely dedicated to giving thanks for all that we have - people and opportunities that have shaped our lives; necessities like food, clothing and shelter; our jobs, our friends, our family, our health. And so much more!
Don't wait until Thanksgiving to be thankful for what you have. GIve thanks everyday!
Our challenge to you this week - start November off right, with thanks. Take a step back this month and look - really look - at everything you have. Sometimes it seems like it is so much easier to focus on the things we don't have than it is to appreciate what we do have. Be conscious of this and change your perception!
Today's Starfish
When Devon, Sarah and I were thinking about what it means to be thankful, and who we are thankful for, (and who may not get enough credit), our moms came to mind. So, as a small way to show our thanks and appreciation for EVERYTHING they have done for else since we were little babies in their tummies, we each wrote a handwritten thank you note to them that we will put in the mail. There is nothing like getting a handwritten note from someone you love!
"Treat others the way you would want to be treated."
Luke 6:31
This weekend, I worked at the children's ministry for my part-time job at my church. Each month, we learn about a different virtue and coincidentally this month's virtue is kindness. Also, each month we practice a memory verse - this month's memory verse is seen above. I always teach the large group lesson to the kids at each service, and this weekend we watched examples of kids being kind and talked about how we can be kind to others.
I was blown away after the large group lesson when I was going from room to room checking on the classes. The kids were so excited to tell me what THEY were going to do to be kind to someone else.
"I'm going to help my mom cook dinner."
"I'm going to give my favorite toy to my brother to play with."
"I'm going to say something nice to my friend at school tomorrow."
"I'm going to help clean the house."
The list went on and on! It sure warmed my heart :)
Today's Starfish
This weekend, I learned from 3, 4 and 5 year olds that it doesn't really matter WHAT you do to be kind, as long as you just do it. I asked Sarah and Devon to each do a random act of kindness of their choosing today.
For my random act, I bought the person behind me their coffee at Starbucks over my lunch break. On a rainy, dreary day like today, I hope I brought a little sunshine into their Monday!
Sarah is currently in Hawaii and her boyfriend is missing her! So she sent him a picture of herself and told him not to worry because she loves him very much and no distance or time will change that ever.
And, Devon was at the grocery store today and saw an elderly lady loading her car with groceries. She offered to return the woman's cart for her. Devon said it may sound little, but a little can go a long way. She hopes she restored a sense of generosity and hope to this woman. Our generation is not as selfish and rude as our reputation makes us sound!
"A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward."
- William John Bennett
Last week, a story went viral about an Iowa couple who gave a server a $100 tip on a $66 bill. The service was terrible - it took 20 minutes to get water, 40 minutes for their appetizer and over an hour for the entree. The restaurant was under-staffed and the server remained calm and polite despite the circumstances and unhappy patrons.
"I said to Steven, wow, this used to be us. Waiting tables. I don't miss it at all and I never loved that job. I did it for the tips. Steven and I agreed it would be good to make this guy's night when he would probably be getting minimal to no tips due to slow service," Schultz wrote.
I love it when something like this happens - it takes a life of its own and is all over the news and social media. In a world full of bad news everyday, it is a breath of fresh air to see a random act of kindness like this make the headlines!
Today's Starfish
Devon and I were at an epic bachelorette party over the weekend in Vegas with a very down to earth group of girls. We tried to break the stereotype of snotty bachelorette parties - we were kind to everybody and tipped well.
The drink server at the pool was so appreciative of us - she said we made her whole day and thanked us for being so nice. And she said we were just what she needed that day.
Glad we could make her day! I am sure she comes across a lot of not so nice customers out in Vegas :)
"Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours."
- Marcus Aurelius
PERSON 1
Oh, if I only had this. I could really use one of these. This would match my outfit SO well. This would make my life so much easier. And I definitely NEED this. And maybe this too. And this for work. And this for vacation. And this for my fall wardrobe. And this in this color. And these because they MATCH this.
PERSON 2
I wish I could have food. I am so hungry. I would love to have some fresh, cold water today. I wish I had a new pair of shoes because my feet get cold and wet. I wish I had a new toy to play with.
BIG difference between 1 and 2, right? Most of you reading this probably fall into the category of person 1. We long for materialistic things; things we don't really NEED, but rather want. We don't worry about where our next meal is coming from or if there is bacteria in our filtered water. If we need a different pair of shoes, we go to our closet or the store. If we want a new toy to play with, we save up and go buy an iPad or a new cell phone.
Don't forget to be thankful for what you have. There ARE people who fall into category 2. It is easy to get caught up in our lives and forget to be thankful for everything we have.
Our challenge to you this week - Next time you pour yourself a big glass of water or sit down to a hot meal, think about those who don't have that luxury. And remember, the best things in life aren't things.
Today's Starfish
The child Devon and I sponsor, Sonton, is turning 5 on October 2 (which also happens to be my birthday!). For a gift, we sent a birthday card with a little bit of money inside. In the card, we told him how much we love him and that Jesus loves him too. We told him he shares a birthday with me and that Devon and I would be spending that day together and would be thinking of him and praying for him.
With the monetary gift we are giving Sonton, he is able to pick something he wants - whether it be rice for his family, a new toy or doll, or new clothes. This is probably one of the first gifts Sonton has ever received. We are providing something for this young child that so many of us may take advantage of.
As Sonton grows up, we will strive to build a relationship with him. Just as Devon stated to me earlier today - It is not always about the material things. She is thankful (me too!) that she gets to spend my birthday week with me and help me celebrate. Friendship is one of the greatest gifts that we can receive, and that we can give. And don't you forget that!
"Always give people more than what they expect to get."
-Nelson Boswell
Experiences with the service industry can be frustrating, to put it mildly. Rude cashiers, long hold times, impatient servers. You know exactly what I am talking about and you can probably think back to a recent time where you experienced this yourself.
A lot of us have been on the other side and worked in the service industry - Sarah, Devon and I have been there! Serving people all day is not always the easiest job and the people who do these jobs are not always the most pleasant people.
But sometimes, you come across great customer service that deserves to be recognized! Maybe by a nice tip or a kind compliment.
Maybe you go the extra mile and send a card or speak to a manager about their stellar employee.
Our challenge to you - Notice good service when you see it. Point it out. Say thank you. Make that person's day!
Today's Starfish
Devon wrote a thank you to a Starbucks manager, touting the service of one of their employees.
I sent an email to the manager of a hotel I stayed at this weekend, thanking them for their service and letting them know their staff was very accommodating.
I am sure it will be nice when these managers receive these notes. Focusing on the positive can be a difference maker when most of the time all these people hear are negative complaints!
"Just like the seasons, people have the ability to change."
The crisp crunch of leaves echoes with every step. The aroma of chili simmering in the crockpot illuminates the air. College Game Day plays in the background on Saturday Mornings. Hues of reds, oranges and yellows line the trees. Your taste buds awaken with sweet pumpkin spice. Is this heaven?!
Have you felt the chill in the air? Enjoyed your first PSL of the season? (That's Pumpkin Spice Latte for all you non-Starbucks drinkers out there.) Football; pumpkin break; hooded sweatshirts. Pumpkin patch visits; hayrides; harvest. HONEY CRISP APPLES!!!
What does fall mean to you?
The temperature is changing. Leaves are turning colors. Flip flops to Ugg boots; tank tops to cardigans; sunglasses to scarves.
Change is all around us. It is a perfect time to turn a new leaf or have a change of heart. Give an old friend a second chance; put judgments behind and get to know someone you may have written off for a superficial or silly reason. Do something for yourself. Put the past behind you.
What can YOU change beginning this fall?
Today's Starfish
For today's Starfish, we are each turning a new leaf in our lives. We consciously made the decision to give someone another chance, be more open to change and to put the past seasons behind us.
We challenge you to do the same.
