This lesson gives us the famous scripture in Matthew 25:40
"And the King shall answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the
least of these my brethren,
ye have done it unto me."
That pretty much covers it all doesn't it? There's really no room for justifying our behavior and treatment of others is there? I consider myself a good person who is struggling to be like Christ in all areas of my life (teensy baby steps at a time). I want to be found on the right hand of Christ when He returns. So I have to ask myself if my daily decisions are bringing me closer to Him. Some days I can answer "yes," but other days the answer is "not so much."
It comes back to loving and serving others doesn't it? We love those we serve, and we really should serve everyone. I think Kristi's challenge to do Random Acts of Kindness goes along nicely with this thought, plus she has all kinds of great ideas for things to do.
Some ideas that come to mind.
--Visiting teaching
--Taking a meal to someone (why not surprise someone with lunch?)
--Writing a note just because, especially if it has a compliment to be shared.
--Saying thank you and meaning it, whether it's because someone held a door open for you, smiled at your kids, picked up something you dropped or said something you needed to hear.
--Going out of your way to help someone at the grocery store.
--Visiting a neighbor or new move-in.
--Calling your grandparents.
--Volunteering to watch someone's kids, so they can have a break.
--Cleaning something for someone else.
--Running an errand for someone else (i.e., calling to see if they need anything while you're at the store).
It comes back to loving and serving others doesn't it? We love those we serve, and we really should serve everyone. I think Kristi's challenge to do Random Acts of Kindness goes along nicely with this thought, plus she has all kinds of great ideas for things to do.
Some ideas that come to mind.
--Visiting teaching
--Taking a meal to someone (why not surprise someone with lunch?)
--Writing a note just because, especially if it has a compliment to be shared.
--Saying thank you and meaning it, whether it's because someone held a door open for you, smiled at your kids, picked up something you dropped or said something you needed to hear.
--Going out of your way to help someone at the grocery store.
--Visiting a neighbor or new move-in.
--Calling your grandparents.
--Volunteering to watch someone's kids, so they can have a break.
--Cleaning something for someone else.
--Running an errand for someone else (i.e., calling to see if they need anything while you're at the store).
Here's to becoming a sheep! Baa.
**What do you think??**
15 comments:
Great thoughts for today. I love all your ideas for serving others. I ask others, and people ask me what they can do sometimes, and a lot of the time it is like you don't know. Having someone even just offer to get something while they are out- even if you don't need anything- can be such a lift. Just knowing they are willing and thinking of you.
I've missed your Sunday thoughts while I was on vacation! And, you didn't disappoint today. I think this is great, and am going to make a conscious effort to do more R.A.K.s. Your post also just reminded me how truly simple the gospel is. It's so easy to get wrapped up in all the rest, but it really does come down to how we treat each other.
What great thoughts! You are right...Random Acts of Kindness...that is what it is all about! I really think it is impossible to be unhappy when you are doing things for other people that you know will make them happy! Everyone always says..."oh I am fine I don't need anything"...but the truth is we can all use little acts of kindness all the time! Thanks for the thoughts (and I always hated hearing about how dumb sheep are too..they definatly deserve more credit!!)
My Random Acts of kindness aren't so random anymore...I have had a "third" child ALL summer.Each day.Breakfast.Lunch.Dinner.Then she goes home. I do this for her and for us -we enjoy her little presence. She used to phone each day to 'hang out'. At 7:30am the phone rang! Now she just shows up.
I am like free daycare- doing everything for her I would with my own. Your thoughts on 'kindness' just made me think of this because I DO think our home is the better daily environment for her (parents work all day)and hope despite all our craziness(she's not sick of us yet!) it's rubbing off on her for great memories!!
Okay!You won't believe this -because I don't even believe what (((JUST)))) happened! 'She' just rode her bike over to find her pink sandals!!! It's Sunday afternoon!!! (our day off!)hahahaha
I have to go now and laugh my head off!!!! ciao
How often in life do we go around with our blinders on and our heads down, not bothering to look up and see what is out there, see something that needs to be done or seeing that someone that we can help. Thanks for reminding me to be actively engaged, I hope to make a difference and not merely exist.
.....Jill, I am still laughing because she came to 'look' for her pink sandals, yet it doesn't look like she has plans to leave! So hubs just said, once again, she gets to hear our devotional for the day (in a minute)and that's better than her being at home watching some random rated R horror movie. Nice. Janae
This is my lesson for next week, but I read it this afternoon to prepare for next week. It is a great lesson. I love the comparison of sheep and goats. The scripture you quoted is one of my favorites, and a good reminder to everyone. I wish my kids would take it more to heart. Thanks for posting your thoughts!
i think i like your sunday comments better than any. thanks for the thoughts.
I always look forward to seeing what you are going to post about on Sunday. It is a nice lift for the day.
I just wrote three notes in the spirit of random acts of kindness....
Great thoughts. I am in desperate need to do some things just because. I am slacking in that department these days.
What do I think? I love your Sunday thoughts. So don't ever stop! I've fallen into *busy* lately and haven't been doing the Just Because so well. I agree 100% that everything seems better when you're serving.
My 10 year old announced on the way home today that his lesson was on sheep and goats. It was a great conversation.
I enjoyed your thoughts about how simple this really boils down to. Either you are doing it - or you are not. I, too, have the same conversation with myself -
"is this drawing me closer, or further away?" Making the choice to SERVE others - randomly or not - is really what it's all about. Service and the condition of our hearts.
Thanks for the thoughts today!
I like the sheeps getting a bum rap point. I am so thankful for your insight Jill!
I love these thoughts. My whole perspective changes when I think of that scripture in Matthew. What if we treated everyone not only the way we would like to be treated, but the way we would treat the Savior if he were here? Kinda rocks my world. It's surprising how much of a difference even small gestures of kindness can make in my life, so why not extend those things to others?
I've always liked sheep. They're just plain cute! Baaaa!
Ok Jill, I have decided that it is time to admit that I stop by your blog often!!!
You are an amazing woman and very entertaining. It sounds like you are such a good friend to everyone you come in contact with.
I love it when you talk about things (being afraid of spiders!), your stories just brighten my day and make me laugh.
Thanks for all of your blog goodness, I thoroughly enjoy it!
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