What’s The Happy Day Project? Click here to read more about it, what the tasks are for this week, and to link up if you are joining us!
{Image stolen from Emily. Thanks!}
It’s getting cold outside.
The temperatures are dipping as the sun goes down.
As people are beginning their annual shopping sprees…filling grocery carts to the brim…hanging twinkling lights that will double their electric bills…snipping and trimming and bow be-dazzling boxes…
There is an entire population of people living on the edges. Sitting on the outside. Looking in. Not invited to the party.
The homeless are often forgotten. Ignored. Sunglasses pulled down. Look out the other window. Turn the dial on the radio. Anything. Just let me avoid it.
And we all have reasons for…justifying why.
But today we will change that.
Today we will say “We see you.”
A simple gift card of just a few dollars to a fast food restaurant and a kind note, a warm smile (don’t forget to smile!!!)…that’s what we are doing today.
This task requires stepping out of our comfort zone.
This task means we have to make a special trip through the drive thru. When we have 800 other things going on today. When we have a feverish baby today and it would be SO MUCH EASIER to shine it.
This task means we have to look when we would rather not.
This task means answering a lot of really really tough questions for our kids.
Like the time Andy was out of town on business and Henry was asking where Daddy was sleeping while he was gone. As I explained what a hotel was, he asked tons of questions: “Are there hotels all over the world? Do they all have beds? Are there lots and lots of rooms?”…the boy’s face lit up like a light bulb and he exclaimed “Oh mommy! That’s where the homeless people can sleep!!!”
Sigh.
I wish buddy. I wish.
{Click HERE to print the notecards.}
So…with the help of this rainbow hued set of notecards designed by the ever talented Emily of Hope Ink, you and I are going to put some warm food in the groaning bellies of another today.
And we will smile while we do it.
This is what we Jesus lovers do.
We love others.
In His name.
So, let’s do it.
Spread happy. See your brother on the corner today.
Last year many of you mentioned that you didn’t have a homeless population where you lived…you looked and looked and couldn’t find anyone…or maybe you just honestly don’t have time to pull this one together…or maybe you do and you want to do a little more?
Every year, Compassion International offers a Christmas Gift Catalog.
For just a few dollars you can provide garden seeds for a family in Africa.
Equip a family with livestock.
For less than you would spend on a meal out for your family…you know, because you don’t feel like cooking tonight.
I encourage you to look through the catalog with your kids.
Teach them about the world. Answer their questions. Remind them of God’s love and providence.
Let them pick out what to buy.
Parenting is hard sometimes.
But it can be so beautiful too.
Join us and share your Happy spreading by tagging pics with #TheHappyDayProject…encourage others to join in. Social media doesn’t have to always be narcissistic. We can use it for good too. Help us?
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I love love love Emily and her artwork!!
Kerry @ Made For Real´s last blog post ..Lame Humor (& links)
I love this. There are many homeless people in my area, and I would love to hand out meal cards with a smile rather than awkwardly looking away. Thank you for this beautiful idea! xoxo
Christi´s last blog post ..Family pictures