I am grateful for bitter cold air to breathe as I walk into work.

I am grateful for a cardinal ornament and a piano ornament to remind me of my Aunt Patsy.

I am grateful for blankets on my bed.

I am grateful for a phone call, a LONG phone call, with Geri.

I am grateful for the best TV show in the year 2016.

I am grateful that I will not be attending the Chiefs game tonight.

I am grateful for homemade peanut clusters.

I am grateful for the privilege of spending time with Helen and Avis and Louene and Betty and Barb and Ken. My Bingo family is shrinking but we do not ever forget Anne or Katherine or Lucy or Ruth or Cindy or Betty 2 or Norma or Stan or Jim…well, Barb forgets, but she can’t help it. She forgets everything. But she remembers other things that are important to her.

I am grateful the pretty birds and songbirds have returned.

I am grateful that there are neighbors on our street who take outdoor Christmas lighting seriously for the rest of us who are just too tired or too busy or not motivated this year, but at least we get to enjoy the pretty-ness as we drive down the street each day. That is Christmas kindness and Christmas-loving-your-neighbor-as-yourself.

He responded, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” – Luke 10:27 CEB

An elderly lady in a small town in the Midwest always went to a specific branch post office in her town because the postal employees were friendly. On a busy afternoon, just a few days before Christmas, she stopped to purchase a few stamps. While waiting in the long line, a man pointed out that there was no need to wait; a stamp machine was in the lobby. “I know,” she replied, “but the machine won’t ask me about my arthritis.”

The art of kindness has not been lost, but sometimes it gets tucked away, especially during the holidays. There are so many errands to run, goodies to bake, and gifts to wrap that we forget the spirit of Christmas, sharing the good news of Jesus’ birth with others by showing our love and generosity.

When you take the time to encourage someone, it might be the small act that changes his or her entire life! Go the extra mile for someone in need – become involved in your community. The art of kindness is in you.

*****

Someone was kind to me yesterday. Actually more than someone. Someones.

My bosses, they are married to each other, gave us three very nice sets of dishes for our new home.

My co-worker, knowing I am going to help my daughter and family next week, printed off recipes for casseroles she thought they might like for me to make while there.

Elaine and Linda and LaDonna wrote kindness to me on Facebook, and Julie sent me a sweet email.

My Dad worked on our Blessings Breakfast gifts while I was at work.

And last night, he went with me to buy a tree, an attempt to appease my Christmas blues, and then he carried it by himself to the car, loaded it, unloaded it, helped me set it up, strung lights, and then he unboxed Mom’s nativity and set it up in the entry. And after all of that, he vacuumed the trail of Frasier fir needles.

And to top it off, when we got home, we discovered a package left at the front door with my name on it. Inside was a book, a coloring book. I have no idea who sent it to me, but it warmed my heart and I am so anxious to spend the holidays coloring – it is a coloring book made just for me, I am sure. And just for Sam. One of our favorite hymns graces each page…

So, I am grateful today for the people in my life who exemplify Luke 10:27.