25 Days of Giving

Last night I had to run to the grocerry store to pick up ingredients for dinner.

I'm not going to lie...part of me saw it as an opportunty to hit Starbucks before I went into the grocery store and pick up my favorite holiday drink- a delicious hot chocolate.

I could see myself sipping on and enjoying my hot chocolate as I casually strolled through the supermarket with no children tugging at me, yelling, or tattling on a sibling.

So I pulled into the parking lot I parked between the two stores making the logistics of the trip a little bit easier, and I could already begin to taste the drink in my mouth!

I walked into Starbucks and boy were they crowded! 

I had to wait in line to order and pick up my hot chocolate, about 10 mins altogether.

After I got my hot chocolate I began my walk across the parking lot thinking to myself the whole time how nice and warm my hot chocolate felt in my hands and how it was such a great idea to get one for myself because it kept me a little warm!

As I approached the entrance to the store I heard the familiar ringing of the Salvation Army bell that had been ringing outside of our market the whole week.

I held my hot chocolate between my hands to keep them warm, but I still hadn't taken a sip because I was afraid it was still too hot.

Just then a feeling came across me.

There was an energy between the SA volunteer and myself, an energy that I couldn't ignore.

As much as I was looking forward to sipping on my delicious, creamy Starbucks hot chocolate and as thankful that I was for it keeping me warm while walking across the parking lot that was nothing in comparison to the SA lady who had been standing outside of our store for who knows how long that day.

The same lady had been outside every other day this week too.

She was there when I went in the morning, and was still there when I went in the evening.

As I walked up to that entrance something told me to give her my hot chocolate.

She was much colder than I was, for sure.

So as I approached her I felt something pulling me towards her-I even walked a little bit past her and had to backtrack to her spot.

I went up to her and asked her if she liked hot chocolate...., "Oh of course I do, it's my favorite" was her reply.

I handed her my piping hot chocolate and told her, "Here this is for you, enjoy and Merry Christmas!"

She replied with a thank you and one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen in my entire life.

Now, I had no idea that I was going to be doing this last night.

Not before I pulled into the parking lot, not while ordering my drink, and not even while walking up to the entrance of the store.

I was planning on enjoying that hot chocolate during my child-less super market trip.

I was drooling over the thought of actually enjoying an entire hot drink by myself, but somewhere along the way I felt like I was supposed to give my drink to the lady standing in the cold.

After my good deed last night something stirred inside of me...

Was it ironic that it was December 1st and I did a good deed to make someone else feel better, and there were 24 more days until Christmas?

Or that I sacrificed my own want and desire to better someone else?

Was I supposed to do an act of kindness each day until Christmas?

Yes it was a small, small act of giving back but I am forever grateful that I acted on that feeling!

Here is what I am proposing friends...

In the spirit of Christmas and to celebrate the {reason for the season, ie Him who was the ultimate gift to us}  

instead of doing a countdown to Christmas~ 25 of Christmas~ which consists of watching Holiday TV programs, and all things materialistic ...

I want to do

 ~25 Days of Giving~ which focus's on helping others, and making another person's day just a little bit brighter.

25 days of doing a random act of kindness for a stranger each day, going out of our way to help a friend or a family member, or volunteering our time.

I'm going to do this either way, but I thought to myself how awesome would it be if we could get a group of us together-from the blogging community, OR just friends and family- to spread the word about this event.

Everything is always better with more people right?

And the end result is we will be able to bless MORE people if we get MORE people to join in this event.

However you propose to get in your daily act of kindness will be just fine...

It can be something as simple as buying a hot chocolate for someone working outside in the cold, saying a prayer for someone you pass on the street, or volunteering your time at a homeless shelter.

Whatever has been laid on your heart will do.

There are no right or wrong ways to give back

I would love it if you could join me in this 25 Days of Giving.

So what do you say?

Wanna join me? 

If you want to join me please leave a comment below or email me: treslittlebirds3 {at} gmail {dot}com and we can get this party started!