Random Acts of Kindness. It's something we certainly hear a lot about- on the news, the radio, and maybe even from friends' Facebook posts. I enjoy being kind to others, but I'm not so good when it comes to random acts of kindness. My acts of kindness are usually calculated- prepared, and well-thought through. My acts of kindness are usually along the lines of, 'so and so' at church is sick or recovering from a surgery... I'll make them a meal, or take them a care basket.' It's the thought that counts, right? 

I am very used to kindness- I receive a lot of it, and sometimes I feel there's an agenda attached... not really the way I want to feel about acts of kindness. I am always saying that I want to do more for others- but I have to do it when it's convenient for me, because it usually involves time and money.

There are two little girls who live in the house behind mine. I don't really know their situation, other than that they don't have a dad around, and their mom, though present, seems sort of absent most of the time. The youngest of the girls (almost 7) loves to come over to our yard and play with B. We play and have fun, and talk- a lot. This little girl loves flowers, and she loves to come up on our porch and chat with me when I'm out watering the flowers. She always comments on how pretty they look. The other day, she came by and presented me with pretty hydrangeas. She said she hoped I would plant them in my garden. Sweet little girl made my day.

This random act was so sweet, kind, and unexpected, from a child, no less. I cherish these flowers (though I'm sure they were swiped from another neighbor's yard), because this little girl took the time to think of me. She remembered that I love flowers and gardening, from all of the times I have spoken to her about them. I always have other things to do... I mean, I could go inside and fold laundry, clean the house or return the usual hundreds of e-mails waiting for me to respond to, but instead, I choose to sit with the little girl, and listen. Maybe some of the greatest acts of kindness are the ones so obvious they go unnoticed.

How are you showing or how have you been shown kindness?

Welcome back to our Bloggers & Readers Challenge! We are so eager to read everyone's comments on how they were able to offer kindness, or how they received kindness from someone else last week. Check out these great Acts of Kindness ideas!

Be sure to leave us your comment, and keep spreading the love around! You never know- your comment might be featured in next week's post, or we might randomly show kindness to one our our readers!!

Keep spreading the love around!