I went to IKEA alone. 

And by alone, I mean not actually alone. I went with no adults and with my two small children. On the ‘needing help’ scale that’s extra points! I lugged the new cabinet I picked out from the warehouse through the checkout aisles, skillfully avoiding mishaps with strangers waiting in line next to me and my excitable kids. We stopped for candy on the way out (like you do!) and finally headed to the car. It was both a stressful and fun outing, as anticipated. 

After I pushed my heavy cart into the family-friendly parking lot, I got both kids buckled-in and happily eating their candy while I loaded the car. 

I got the first monster box into my trunk and a car stopped behind mine with a family and an open window. 

“Do you need a hand?” he said. 

“I won’t turn it down!” I replied. 

I’m not sure who’s thoughtful idea it was for that man to help me out – his, the woman’s, or maybe the kids’. But I was oh so grateful for this generous act. In that moment, I felt thought of, noticed, and relieved I didn’t need to put those huge boxes in my car! 

When it comes to kindness, you can find messages everywhere. In my city, a new mural went up on a water tower just outside of downtown. The message on it says: Do Good, Feel Good. I can’t help but think of the episode with Friends where Joey claims there is no selfless good deed, that there is nothing you can do to help someone that doesn’t selfishly make you feel good in return. 

Why do we feel good when we do good for others? Is there anything wrong with that? 

Kind deeds point out people’s worth. It affirms value that is placed in all of us. We call to attention that person is known, heard, and seen, not only by us, but by their Creator. A kind deed puts that person’s value center stage for everyone to see, including the recipient. When we do good work, we bring Heaven to Earth and we can’t help but feel joy as well. 

Is it shallow to do small acts of kindness when there are bigger issues in the world? Is it too lofty to think that small acts can be life-altering? Being kind to someone is a bigger act than we may think. Extending kindness, help, or generosity can be a small act of justice that we can honor someone with. When this becomes our way of life, joy is woven into the fabric of our homes, workplaces, and communities. 

Think about the people you see every week – at home, at work, running errands. These people matter. Each and every one of them has value and worth. Here are just a few ways to honor the value in others with kind deeds.

1) Find out what your neighborhood school needs are and donate those specific items. If your child attends the school, ask the teacher what the classroom needs are. 

2) Consider the culture of your workplace and find an area that you can improve. One of my favorites is a culture of encouragement, publicly praising coworkers for a job well done. 

3) Give hand-me-downs to a local organization when they are in good shape. 

4) Sometimes we have a nice thing to say and don’t say it because we think they already know it. Don’t withhold joy. Extravagantly compliment and encourage others. 

5) Learn your child’s teacher’s Starbucks drink and get it for them randomly.

6) Write a note of thanks to someone in your life. Handwritten is nice, but a thankful text out of nowhere is great too.

7) If someone in the grocery store or a restaurant did an exceptional job, tell the manager. The least that could happen is the good news can get back to them. 

There’s nothing wrong with feeling good about doing good. We are pointing out the worth and value in others, and we can’t help but feel joy knowing that. When acts of love and kindness become our way of life, it becomes who we are and in effect, changes the environment around us for the better. 

May we be more aware of those around us. May we love generously and encourage extravagantly. May we not be disheartened that a kind act is too small. And may we never withhold joy.