30 Ways to Honor God This Summer

1. Sit outside in the cool of the morning and meditate and pray.

2. Give $20, $50 or $100 anonymously to someone in your congregation who is struggling financially.

3. Read through the book of Psalms aloud with the entire family.

4. If it has been a while since you had a child in your house and you are missing the stomp, stomp, crash of little feet … borrow some kids for a day from their harried parents. Take them outside and show them how to have fun unplugged from electronic devices.

5. Write a letter of encouragement to a missionary or a member serving in the military overseas.

6. Mow the grass for a widow or elderly person.

7. Buy a DVD and, after watching it, send it to a missionary family with your “review” of the movie.

8. Ask each of your children to invite a friend from a less fortunate family to go with you on vacation.

9. Stay home, save gas and skip eating out one night, and donate the money to a soup kitchen or another
ministry that helps the homeless.

10. Put together a family prayer list.

11. Send a thank-you card and a gift certificate to that older member who greets you with a warm smile and handshake each Sunday.

12. Make it a point to think about others. Overcome your self-focus.

13. Vacation close to home so that you will have money with which to be generous.

14. Don’t just take a good book to the beach — take the Good Book.

15. Visit someone who shaped your life spiritually and thank them.

16. Bake cookies for Vacation Bible School.

17. Make a list of 10 ways God has blessed your life this year. Pick two or three and make them a blessing in somebody else’s life.

18. Stop what you are doing in the afternoon and just think about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

19. Pay the toll or the lunch bill for the car behind you in line.

20. Give your preacher an unexpected Sunday off and pay for him and his family to enjoy a special weekend doing something fun.

21. Read that book with a spiritual message that a friend recommended.

22. Plan a service project for your community and get teenagers involved in it.

23. Write or call a favorite childhood teacher to let that person know how your life turned out and how much you owe him or her.

24. Go on a mission trip instead of a vacation.

25. Make a list of New Year’s resolutions that you didn’t have time for in December. Complete them over the next six months.

26. Pretend one day this summer is Thanksgiving and volunteer at the homeless shelter downtown.

27. Pick up the phone and call a couple of people just to tell them you are thinking of them.

28. Go to a Little League baseball game and buy the losing team something from the snack bar.

29. Treat each day as a special gift from God and thank him for your many blessings.

30. Make a list like this of your own, only better.

(Borrowed from the Christian Chronicle editorial council, June 19, 2008)

Friday – What Will You Do This Weekend?

Random Acts of Kindness.

• Make a donation to your local animal shelter – treats, food, first aid supplies, toys or even cat litter.
• Give a donation to a charity as a gift for someone who already has everything.
• Write something nice about your waitperson on the back of the bill. Or, leave a larger than usual tip if the service has been exceptionally good.
• Donate blood.
• Send a card to a lonely person.
• Surprise someone in your house with breakfast in bed.
• After loading your groceries in the car, return your cart to the store. Better yet, offer to take a stranger’s cart too.
• Save box tops for education and donate to a local school, even if you don’t have children.
• Prepare treats for neighbors, emergency workers, mail carriers, coworkers or other community members, along with a note of appreciation.
• Bring a treat to share with coworkers.

Thursday – Make a Difference Today!

Random Acts of Kindness

· Flowers and chocolate are wonderful, but a smile is also a gift. Use it today!

· Find yourself at the grocery store and it’s not yet the weekend? Give your place at the checkout line to another person, such as someone in a hurry or a parent with restless little children.

· Send a letter to some former teachers, letting them know the difference they made in your life.

· Send a gift anonymously to a friend.

· Tell your children why you love them.

· Give a hug to a friend.

· Praise the work or attitude of an employees, supervisor or coworker.

· When a coworker needs to talk, meet him or her at lunch and listen with compassion.

· Place some flowers on the desk of each of your coworkers.

· Offer to help out with the not-so-pleasant tasks at work.

Wednesday – Be Helpful and Encouraging Today

Random Acts of Kindness

· Help someone struggling with heavy bags.

· Compliment someone you don’t really know about something they are wearing.

· Hold the door open for someone rushing to catch it.

· Write a kind note to relatives and friends, letting them know why they are special.

· Select some people in your life who you feel need a special life and send them a gift: flowers, tickets to a special event or even dinner for the two of you to share.

· Buy books for a day care or school.

· Write a note to your mother/father and tell them why they are special.

· Say something nice to everyone you meet today.

· Refrain from negative talk; concentrate on the positive.

Tuesday – Smile and Be Happy Today

Random Acts of Kindness

· Smile and say “hello” to someone you don’t know.

· Do not talk behind anyone’s back or spread rumors.

· Include a note or joke in your child’s or spouse’s lunchbox.

· Drive safely and courteously.

· Stop for a person waiting to cross the street.

· Show your appreciation to coworkers through words and notes.

· Call a loved one just to say “I love you” or to tell them what you appreciate about them.

· Leave a bouquet of flowers on a neighbor’s front step or to a co-worker anonymously.

· Pat someone on the back.

· Be a friend to a new coworker.

· Laugh out loud often and share your smile generously.

Monday – No Reason at All Day

Random Acts of Kindness.

· Give someone a compliment today.

· Write a thank you note to a friend, family member or co-worker who went out of his or her way to help you.

· Instead of writing the note, thank him or her in person!

· As you go about your day, pick up trash

· Call or write to someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time, just to say you’re thinking about them.

· Plan lunch with a coworker.

· Send a treat to a school or day-care center.

· Share positive news and quotes with others.

· Help an overworked colleague with some tasks

· No Reason at all Potluck: Why wait for the next birthday, or when a coworker leaves? Schedule a potluck for your group just because.