Unexpected Gift

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

The season goes so quickly except if you are a little child....then it drags on and on and Christmas morning seems like an eternity away.

I wrote earlier that we were really trying to take this season to think of others more than ourselves.

We were trying to think of ways to bless others daily.

We have had a very mellow December.

I closed the shop early, we have baked cookies, painted, made gifts, wrapped, listened to hours of Christmas music, sang together by the piano whenever the children felt like playing, read beautiful books and I believe....made the best new Christmas tradition EVER!

A few years ago I remember being so touched when Stephanie Nielson took her children around town leaving sweet notes of kindness and encouragement.

I told myself I was going to do that with my children and never did.

A few months ago I saw another blog that has tons of sweet words that you can pass on to others available for free to print out.

I told myself I was going to do that with my children and never did.

A few weeks ago Melody Ross and her sister Kathy did a post about handing out words of kindness and encouragement.  They even gave a link where you can print off all the words you need to bless the socks off someone...and we did.

This past Tuesday I met my sister at the mall with our children.  We were all really excited to do this.

I had my camera ready but decided not to use it so I didn't make people uncomfortable.

I wish you could have seen the HUGE smiles on my children's faces. I mean full of joy and just beaming.

They all took turns walking up to strangers, saying "Merry Christmas" and then giving them words that we hoped were meant just for them.

We didn't purposely stay around to see people's reactions but so many times we heard there sweet reaction as we were walking away and we knew they had read their words.

My sister handed a woman her words and the woman reluctantly accepted it.  My sister saw her turn around looking for her.  They made eye contact.  The woman placed her hand over her heart and with sincerity mouthed the words "thank you".

My daughter walked over to a woman sitting on a bench.  The woman read her words, looked up at me and mouthed "thank you" and blew a kiss to my daughter.

Jack told me that he had never felt that happy in all his life.  He told me that he felt like it made  Christmas really about Jesus and that he wants to do it every year.

I could have cried twenty times that night watching my children and then watching the ones that received their words.

I don't know who was blessed more.

Your words matter.  How you treat others matters.  Unexpected acts of kindness blesses both the giver and receiver.

So many are hurting and it is so powerful and easy to spread kindness.

If you are going out to the mall tomorrow I encourage you to print out your own words of kindness from here or here (or make your own) and pass them out!

We might even be at the mall tomorrow because I want my mom to experience it too! 

It will be the most unexpected gift you give to others...and yourself.

Merry Christmas! 

 

Comments

[JerriR]

Thank you for doing this! I've read on several blogs where others have done something similar and its wonderful!
Merry Christmas!

[Donna]

Beautiful Christmas post!!! Happy holidays from snowy Ohio to you!!

[Traci]

bless you and your children. what a special evening. knowing you made others smile and feel loved. especially when you don't know what is going on in their lives. that may have been the only smile they had that day. merry christmas you sweet thing.

[Lorie]

That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard of doing. I cried through the whole part about the mall.

Hope your Christmas is Merry!

[Shanon Gallegos]

My gosh! I all but bawled reading this post. I'm not sure why if affected me that way. I didn't even know what the words were! I clicked over to check them out and the bawling continued....what a sweet idea. I think I would be a blubbering fool in the mall watching all of that! It makes me start to think.....

[Lori]

This is the best new tradition ever Jeanne ~ what a fantastic idea. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. xo

[Alicia @ La Famille]

what a great idea! i love it. the words you speak really are so important and they can build up or tear down in a matter of seconds. so important to teach your kids that. thanks for the great idea!

merry christmas!

[lissa]

Merry Christmas Jeanne. Your home looks beautiful. What a sweet thing to do.

[Jennifer Ostrander]

I loved reading about your day at the mall! I, too, have read about about this before-and never acted on it. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing your beautiful experience, Jeanne. Merry Christmas!

[Alli]

Oh wow Jeanne - what a memory and what an amazing tradition! Thanks for sharing.

[Jacqueline]

Dearest sweet Jenne, this is such a beautiful christmas post! Thanks so much for sharing! Wishing you JOY and LOVE for a wonderful Christmas my sweet friend..thank you for all the blessings you have given me this year! Love to you!

[Lisa]

Beautiful Jeanne, so glad you shared this!

[Shari]

<3.... Love this!
I am mouthing the words THANK YOU! as I type...

[Sarah/Brown Dog Studio]

Blessings to you...feeling blessed right now :)

[Joyce Martin]

This brought tears to my eyes. Something so simple, but so powerful. Beautiful! Merry Christmas!!!

[Kate @ Songs Kate Sang]

Oh wow. Tears. This is beautiful. I really needed to read this.

[Kathryn]

This post made me cry, how beautiful. Wishing you and your family and amazing Christmas.

[Dore]

MS. "J"
I read this post and it brought to mind an act of KINDNESS my daughter and I did this past few days. You see there is always someone on a corner appearing to be begging for Money$$ you now "HOMELESS" signs so my daughter and I would tell them God Bless and give them Christmas Cookies...The frosted ones from the market. Really they were shocked and yet surprised to receive Christmas cookies.

After READING this POST of yours I was so choked up I wish I had more time now to get out there with my Hannah and some friends and pass on words of encouragement, your inspiring post I will not forget and will try this next year it is at the top of our list. My daughter as beautiful as she is inside out said she will do this at college next Christmas...Of course no time now this year.

Jeanne,
Thank you sooooooo! very much for being a BRAVE GIRL! we need more HEARTS like your's.

Un Joyeux Noel
May Gods Biggest blessing be bestowed upon you and yours!!

xx
Dore & daughter Hannah

[Sheila]

That was such a sweet jester that you and your kids did. And at the same time you were teaching your kids that it is important to care about other people. GOd bless you all. Merry Christmas.

[Sharon]

What a wonderful way to spread joy! Bless you and may your Christmas be everything you hope for :)

[Flower Patch Farmgirl]

This is my favorite.

[Rachel @*French Farmhouse 425*]

that is so special!! Merry CHRISTmas!!~*~*Hugs,Rachel

[lulu]

You, my lovely carmel loving friend just gave me a true Christmas Gift, Thank-you.

[Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top]

I love this idea!!!! Love, love, love! I am all teary-eyed now. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[Heather]

Absolutely the best thing ever! I LOVE this idea. I will for sure try this. I can only image your kids faces when they handed these sweet words to people. That would make anyones day.
Merry Christmas!
Hugs,
Heather