Day Three in Review

Prayer: Yes. Asked to be blessed, like in the Prayer of Jabez.

Scripture: Yep, stayed the course.
Silence: Yes. Tried driving with the radio off, too.

The Day/The Deed:


Today I learned two things: One, you have get yourself out there to touch somebody else (for the most part) and two, the by-product of do-gooding is a more present disposition.


I work from my home, and do a good bit of my work by phone and email. This has caused a little pressure when I do get out on an appointment or errand — I feel like that's my big chance to get out and make it count! But this intentional focus has also given me more desire to be out and about, like an adventure could be right around the next corner! Going to meetings or gathering with people has taken on a new excitement.


Focusing on others — seeing every person as a new potential for do-gooding and letting God work through me — makes me pull my head out of my own bahonkus. It naturally causes me to have a curious, very present focus on each person in front of me. That is fun — and exhausting!


Today the deed done was some blatant low-hanging fruit. But I picked it. There's a very capable, organized and loving woman who works at the kids' school in development. She's been planning a big fundraiser this weekend, and I know she's been beside herself trying to gitter-dun. Gitter-Dun-Gal probably gets lots of encouragement at work, but I left a box of St. Patrick's Day cookies in her chair with a note to hang in there and that we were "lucky" to have her on the project. Cookies have been on the brain since yesterday's news, so when I saw Edgewood Bakery in the distance this morning I could hardly stop my truck from wheeling in.


After I ordered Gitter-Dun-Gal's cookies, I decided to buy another bag of cookies just to keep in the front seat today — just in case. Would you know that bag sat there for the rest of the afternoon? An awesome opportunity to share did not reach out and grab me, darn it! So there sat the bag. And I couldn't even help lessen the burden thanks to "the sugars." I tried to offer it to a nice-looking young valet at the charity event I covered tonight. He said, "Thank you ma'am (ma'am?!?!?!) but those will give me cramps." So the cookies ended up on the front porch of our awesome neighbors, who said they would be shared at a baseball party tomorrow. It all works out.


Words of encouragement: Some good suggestions from a practical, loving prayerful friend on little things to do for other:

Write someone in your church an anonymous note thanking them for all they do. I love this b/c it feels good to express gratitude - good for your health - gives you joy - but also is a fun way to do it. You know the person is baffled over receiving an anonymous note...but has to assume the gesture is heartfelt as there is nothing for the author to gain.

Take a good coupon to a store...and find some stranger in the store who can use it. People are shocked when they are given things by strangers...

Pray for people/strangers while you are running

Getting back to the gratitude...think of people in your daily life (work at the grocery store, doctor's office, etc.) who are exceptional at their jobs. Call store to find out their boss' name and write a note telling boss how great you think they are...

Make cookies for the office staff at your church and leave a note thanking them for all they do.

Final thought: Sometimes people are blessed by cookies, sometimes not so much.