I notice how the author deliberately keeps things cheap.
The Bible says we are to give sacrificially.
Why a mini meatloaf? A full size meatloaf could be divided into four or more portions and frozen for four times the meals.
So, who among the members of your church would be very blessed if you took them shopping, and paid for a week’s groceries?
Is there a single mom who needs tires for her car? A battery?
Is there a young teen whose family cannot afford to send her to summer music camp that you could help?
Several things about this article offend me mightily. One, the author’s assumption that Christians need to be told to do such things, and her very insistence that it be kept free and easy.
...when your taught as a child to open doors, say good morning, or fetch something for someone not tall enough in a supermarket.........there’s not much thinking needed, it comes naturally
We used to call these manners:
open door for lady.
help the elderly load their groceries
let someone into the flow of traffic.
smile.
I like to go buy some popsicles or ice cream treats and give them to outside laborers on summer days. They are amazed and grateful. It is an easy and inexpensive thing to do. Also keep a few extra umbrellas in the car to pass out to people walking in rainy conditions, and stock up on cheap gloves that I have been known to give to anyone coming door-to-door without them in the winter.
Tip #1: When putting money into a homeless person’s cup, make sure it’s not his coffee.
Tip #2: Donate the entire muffin. If you try to donate just the stumps, you may run into problems.
She lost me with this step.
Other than that, I think it's quite a good article. I agree with the author - I've never thought the adjective "random" added anything to the "acts of kindness." There's no "senseless beauty," either, since we couldn't perceive any kind of beauty without our senses!
If one goes into any situation thinking "How can I help others?" then much of what the author suggests will come naturally. However, a reminded to be looking for ways to be good to others certainly doesn't hurt.