Thoughtfulness. Before We Forget.

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."  ... James 3:13


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Don't you just love thoughtful people?

I'm thinking they're becoming a rare breed.

But perhaps we've all been spinning around the Fast Track so long that we've forgotten how to be thoughtful. Maybe?

So here are a few ideas to jar our memories, ideas to hopefully inspire us to return to thoughtfulness, something I'm thinking delights God's heart.


1. When wishing people a happy birthday in a card or phone call or on Facebook, add a customized thought/compliment which will make them feel special and appreciated. That extra sentence can make someone's day/whole Life feel brighter.

2. If someone wishes to borrow money, give them a bit more than they asked for. (Sounds ludicrous? Check this out: "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."   ... Matthew 5:41,42)

3. Ask people if there's a way you can help.

4. Offer to babysit for a young couple. Maybe even give them money to go on a date.

5.  Arrive a bit early wherever you go.

6.  Donate to local food shelters or thrift shops. Or volunteer in your community or church.

7. Allow people to go before you in the check-out lane of any type of store.

8.  Motion for walkers to cross in front of your vehicle.

9.  Wave to strangers. Smile at everyone you pass by and say hello.

10.  Keep watch on Facebook for those who need encouragement and then ask God to give you the right words.

11.  Sometimes mow your neighbors' lawn for them or shovel their snow.

12.  Mail a card of appreciation to an old friend.

13.  If you're good at something, offer to teach someone else what you've learned.

14.  If your electric bill offers a way where you can help others in need, add those extra few dollars.

15.  Whenever you come across people in Real Life or online who've just lost a loved one, offer your condolences whether you know them well, or not. Even one sincere, "I'm sorry this has happened," can mean so much. 

16.   Offer to walk your neighbor's dog or babysit their pets (water their plants? Watch their house?) if they go on vacation.

17.   Invite a friend to your house for coffee or go out with her to a shop to catch up.

18.  Pay for the coffee (etc.) of people behind you in drive-through lines.

19.  Compliment families in restaurants whose children behave well.

20.  Spend a year trying to do at least one kind thing for others each day of that year.


One reason I feel Christians nowadays aren't as happy as they used to be? They've (we've) gotten away from thoughtfulness.

Just a thought. (No one go all ballistic on me, ok?)  :)

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^"Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]."   ... Philippians 2:3

 (I love this verse. It totally explains something that began happening to me probably 15 years ago:

Each time I'm tempted to do even good-appearing tasks out of insecurity or an "I'll show them!" attitude, God immediately convicts me big-time. Nails my attitude and won't let me do those good-appearing deeds either at all--or--until later after my heart changes its motives.)

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“Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.”
...Dennis Prager