When We Join Together

When We Join Together

Live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Each December, our family commits to doing an act of kindness each day. We began in 2012 when I had a rambunctious toddler and a chubby-cheeked baby at home. In the intervening years, we’ve added another daughter to our home, but our commitment to refocus on Jesus and his love by showing kindness through the Advent season remains unwavering.

Each November, I sketch out the following month. We’ve brought our girls’ teachers their favorite coffee drinks, filled up the gas tank of a local serviceman on his way to the airport for a deployment, donated to food shelves and animal shelters, and bought toys for other children. My kids love making “candy bombs”—small candy-filled cellophane bags—to place on windshields at the hospital. And the day when we leave treats and a gift card in the mailbox for the mail carrier is always one of their favorites.

All of these activities are things my children love doing, but what I appreciate most is recruiting others to do these kind acts along with us. Each year when I ask for ideas on social media, my friends generously comment with their best ideas, giving me fresh insight and an appreciation for their creativity and generosity. Last year, one friend told me that she joined with us our first year and has continued to do so each year with her family. For eight years, she’s partnered with us on our Advent adventure! As we traded ideas, she told me that her daughter likes to volunteer at an animal shelter, and her son likes to ask a cashier what his or her favorite candy is while waiting in the checkout line, and then he purchases the candy and gives it to them. Together, my friend and I brainstormed ideas for the next year.

In life, we are better when we join together with friends. Our good ideas are strengthened, multiplied, and even passed on to the next generation when we work with one another. When we are united in our desire to show the love of Jesus to others, we will spur one another on to more and more acts of love and grace and mercy, strengthening our friendships—and our faith.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Brainstorm ideas—whether they’re related to a work project, a ministry, or an upcoming event—with a friend.