The First Week (of Making This World a Better Place)

I firmly believe we are on this earth to care for one another. After all, the Bible is full of commandments and directives to love our fellowman. My favorite verse is from Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (NIV) So now you know why I am writing this blog.

Making this world a better place is not only an opportunity, but really something we all should try to do – not just once in a while, but every day of our lives. If you are reading this blog, then I know this is something you understand, and I now challenge you to encourage at least one other person to do likewise. The more of us who commit to making this world a better place, the more impact we will have.

Now, just a few more comments before I tell you this week’s assignment. Some of the “deeds” are simple and may be something you’ve done previously. That’s okay, do them again. Making a difference isn’t something most of us can do with one act. We need to do positive, make-a-difference acts every day, and that is what this blog will help you to eventually do. With each assignment, I am also going to share a few of the things I did during the week so as to set an example. Doing something good isn’t difficult, but purposely doing something every day is…or at least until it becomes part of your life.

The assignment for the first week: This is holy week and many of you will be buying something for Easter. Maybe it’s candy, fill and thrill Easter eggs, a lily, etc. Even if you aren’t buying something for Easter, I’m sure you will buy something else. That may be a coffee at the drive-thru, some groceries, or even toilet paper. Your task is to buy a duplicate of something and give it to someone unexpected.

You can choose your recipient: a stranger, a shut-in, the person behind you in line at the drive-thru, or any neighbor. The idea is to surprise someone else with a kind gesture.

One year, I bought the fill and thrill Easter eggs and put $5 in each one. I then drove through the Walmart parking lot looking for the most beat-up cars and placed an egg under the wiper blade. My son and daughter-in-law also took a few eggs to place on cars along a street filled with low income housing.

This is simple isn’t it? Imagine someone’s surprise when they drive up to get their order from the fast food restaurant and are given a cookie. Or imagine your neighbor who is surprised when you bring over an extra ($4) Easter lily, or the shut-in who receives extra toilet paper or stamps. Just do something to fulfill the assignment once this week.

As promised, here are a few things from my journal this past week: I prepared taxes for my two sons (yes, good deeds count for family members too); wished two friends happy birthday on Facebook; gave extra Easter goodies to a neighbor; and arranged a party for my single, senior, church friends where we dyed Easter eggs and then hunted others filled with candy. And, of course, there were prizes, all to delight our inner-child!

Please share what you do this week either on the blog site or on Facebook. When I wrote Simple Things to Make This World a Better Place, it was sometimes difficult to get others to share about their good deeds – they did not want to sound boastful. But, it’s only boastful if you are sharing to receive praise and accolades for what you did. Sharing to give others ideas is NOT boastful and it’s a good idea to do so.

So, how are you going to make this world a better place this week? And who will you invite to share this journey?