UNEXPECTED GESTURES

  

Hubby and I recently watched “Fall City,”  a Christmas movie on TV.  In this movie a young man is trying to find his way. After many failures, he returns home for Christmas having nowhere else to go. His life is a mess and in trying to make amends in broken relationships the pastor suggested it may take “unexpected gestures in order to rebuild trust. “ 

I just finished reading the book, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” by Debbie Macomber. The main character, Julia, likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she’s tried to be nice, he rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. She finally decides to “kill him with kindness.”  Over the twelve days of Christmas she shows him unexpected gestures of kindness. 

In Galatians the Bible says, “Let us not grow weary while doing good… (Galatians 6:9)

So now, I’m thinking about unexpected gestures of kindness.  

Recently, I’ve been the recipient of unexpected kindnesses.

• I met a friend for "coffee” (I say that loosely because I don't drink coffee) and she gave me a beautiful red knitted scarf that she had made. Totally unexpected. 
• A text from a “grand” saying, “Grandma, can I stop by for a few minutes?”
• Hubby cleaned out the kitchen pantry for me.
• An unexpected package arrived in the mail from an old friend.   
• I spilled my soda in the garage at my daughter’s house. I hollered for paper towels and my son-in-law came out and cleaned up the mess for me.
• My son forgot keys he needed and called to see if I could give him a ride to pick them up. That resulted in an unexpected, lovely visit with him.  

Now I’m thinking I should make unexpected gestures of kindness more of a habit. This will require thinking, planning and being intentional.  

So….I’m planning to use this Advent season as an opportunity for unexpected gestures.

I would love to hear about unexpected gestures you've experienced.