Random Acts of Christmas Kindness #2

Because the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad cold virus knocked us out for an entire week, leaving me with bronchitis which lasted another week or more...we only ended up being able to complete 2 random acts of Christmas kindness this holiday season.

The week before Christmas, the boys and I made homemade gingerbread playdoh which we wrapped up with cookie cutters to be delivered to children in the foster care system, who are about to be permantly severed from their biological families. :( We hope these little gifts brought them joy this Christmas!

And even though the season of giving has come to an end, I plan to continue teaching the boys the importance of giving through random acts of kindness all year long! In fact, de-clutter mode is in full effect at our house...we are purging everything in sight, planning to make several trips to goodwill in the process. It is such a joy to hear my oldest tell me that he wants to give his stuff to "kids who don't have anything."

I will let you know what other random acts of kindness we come up with along the way and I hope you will do the same!

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness #1

We decided to get in on the whole "light up your community with random acts of Christmas kindness" thing, trying to do at least 1 a week until Christmas! 

Today we baked cookies and delivered them to workers at our local post office and grocery store! It was so much fun seeing their faces light up and such a great opportunity for Little A to experience the true spirit of Christmas! 

Have you and your family performed any random acts of kindness this Christmas season? I would love to hear about them!

Go here for more information about "Light 'Em Up" and here for the free "Random Acts of Christmas Kindness" gift tags. 

I will let you know what we do next week and please do the same! Merry Christmas, friends! :)

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

{Hope for the Home}: Hearts of Kindness

I am delighted to be back here and share a topic and program close to my heart. Thanks, Erin!

Raise your hand if you want your children to be GENEROUS?

Raise your hand if you want your children to SERVE others?

Raise your hand if you want your children to think of OTHERS before themselves?

Raise your hand if you want your kids to focus on GIVING vs GETTING during Christmas?

Oh… I can see that is everybody!

I was having a moment of disgust last Christmas (you can read the entire soapbox, rant here). I was over the consumption, the busyness and every bit of junk that was driving my kids and our family away from the message of Christmas Day. The fact that the greatest gift to earth was born on Christmas Day.

I wanted my kids to FEEL and EXPERIENCE the goodness of serving others. I was told they were too young for many ministries in town. What? My kids are too young to serve others? No way! So, I started a program called Light ‘Em Up - a simple and free way for families to light up their communities one heart at a time. And thousands joined me!

It has been so moving to watch little ones understand their lives can be used by God to serve and give. They can influence others and simply light up their hearts through generosity and service.

From simple acts of “thank you” ….

to a surprise thank you for the garbage collector…

to feeding someone that is hungry.

The options are endless. You can find 100 Ideas, Gift Tags, Classroom Ideas, Coloring Sheets, Planning Sheets and more all here and free.

Don’t forget to see the Mom Pledge that basically removes the guilt – you are a great mom and good enough if you do 1 idea, 10 or zilcho! ;)

Here is where my tension is this morning and I would love for us to wrestle with this thought today.

HOW WE GO FROM RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS to HEARTS OF KINDNESS?

I love this idea at the Holidays and it really does work. It’s contagious and my kids get into it. However, I don’t want this to be a one-month, holiday program.

I want these virtues sinking deep into their hearts and I believe this is a great start. I believe I need to model “putting others first” for them all year long. I believe we need to keep looking for opportunities to love and serve others. I want them to naturally notice the lonely or sad friend in a room. I want them to feel the nudge to stop when they see a person in distress or be the first to run over to a fallen friend. This doesn’t happen over night. I believe it happens when parents model this and through conversations all year long.

Light ‘Em Up is a terrific start. Let’s go light up some hearts this Christmas with our precious kiddos and show them the heart of Jesus!

If you’d like to share the program or pass the word along to friends, 

 Here is the best link. It’s a great way to gather other moms in your area for a common mission and see what you can do together!

Go here for more ways to make God apart of your everyday life and home! 

About the Author: Courtney DeFeo is the fun mom who believes our kids can light up the world. She is the author of popular mom blog lillightomine.com, which seeks to “empower moms and change little lives through innovation in the home.” She is also the creator of ABC Scripture Cards and My Lil Money Jars through Lil Light O’ Mine. She is passionately pouring out her gifts of creativity and innovation on moms all over the country. Courtney has learned the art of using her talents wisely to help and serve others through 14 years in marketing at industry-leading PR firm Ketchum and Chick-fil-A, Inc. She is the proud wife of a servant-spirited dad and is mom to two skipping girls, ages 3 and 5.