"52 Days Of Miracles" Challenge

This time of the year can be some of the saddest times of the whole year for some people....for one reason or another......so I would like to extend a challenge to everyone.

We need to cooperate on a more fundamental level, making sacrifices for each other, or for people we don't even know. Maybe they will reciprocate. Maybe they won't. Either way, the ripple effect could be incredible!

It could be reading stories for those who are shut in.

May be it's collecting canned food for a food drive.

Maybe it's as big as Christmas dinner for the homeless.

If you're great at baking, you could bake cookies or cakes and deliver to your neighbors, 

or put positive post-its on your coworkers desk each day.

The name of the challenge is:    52 days of Miracles

There are 52 days until Christmas Eve!  

How can you brighten someone's day?

For some modern-day miracles (52 of them), check out:

Amazing Modern-Day Miracles: 52 True Stories to Strengthen Your Faith

......and be on the lookout for miracles in your own everyday life!

Feel free to post a photo or comment using the hashtag #52DaysOfMiracles

Need some ideas?

1. Who do you love?  Tell your friend or family member you do.  We all need to hear that we are loved.
2. Cheer up one who is discouraged with a hug, spending time with him or her, sharing truth, giving hope, telling a joke.
3. Encourage someone beginning a new job with the latest motivational or business book in hardcover or on Kindle.
4. Make it a point to do what is good for all.  People notice and appreciate it when you put others’ needs before your own.
5. Some people are most encouraged by acts of service.  You could rake leaves for an elderly neighbor, plant a porch pot and keep it watered, take the garbage to the street each week and return the empty can to the garage after pick-up, walk the dog.
6. Spouses need encouragement.  Leave “Post-it” notes with words of gratitude and love thoughts in special places.
7. Remind one who is struggling in a relationship that God loves each of us with an everlasting love.  He never quits on us, he never gives up on us.
8. Love on your spiritual leaders regularly, by sending her a card or note in the mail, asking him to breakfast or lunch, or offering your time in a helpful way.
9. Be patient with the clerk at the store, especially when there is a long line and challenging customers.  Offer an additional word of thanks.
10. Look out for a co-worker.  Everyone needs someone to be in their corner, to have their back.
11. Pray for someone when they share a hurt or burden.  Right then.  People are more blessed when you pray with them immediately, rather than saying I’ll be praying for you.
12. Do a task normally done by your partner. Just because.
13. Listen to a young person and value their ideas and opinions.
14. Choose to live a life of character and integrity.  It encourages others to stay the course and model your example.
15. Give a gift handmade by you.
16. Help Habitat for Humanity to build a house.  You'd be surprised what you can do.
17. Buy a Publix Thanksgiving Meal gift card and surprise a needy family this holiday.
18. Encourage a friend to put her hope in God who richly provides everything for our enjoyment.
19. Pick up the phone and take time to listen and encourage someone who lives far away.  Don’t do all the talking.
20. For the one out of work, invite them to dinner, send a gift card to the grocery store or gas station (anonymously?), send a special food gift like Omaha Steaks. 
21. Send a short note on Facebook or text message a friend with a few encouraging words.
22. Tell your boss, your pastor, or other leader that you appreciate him.
23. Validate the one you’re speaking with; the one who is sharing their heart may be feeling a lack of self worth. It’s a wonderful thing to be validated by a person you truly like and admire!
24. Do you know someone who is going through rough waters?  Secretly send them a card or note everyday for a week.
25. Is there a young couple you know who does not have the luxury of family nearby?  Offer to watch their children so they can accomplish a project or go shopping.  Take it farther and give them a gift card to a restaurant and care for their children while they are out.
26. People rarely get personal mail delivered anymore.  Write or type a long or short letter or note of encouragement and put it in the mail.
27. Remind the one who feels alone in their battle of Jesus’ promise, “I will never leave you….”
28. Have a few small gifts on hand to give someone, just because.
29. Be quick to listen and slow to talk.  Sometimes, the best encouragement is a listening ear.
30. Write love letters.
31. Secretly send a gift card for a coffee at Starbucks to the coffee lover with a sweet note. Starbucks gift cards are also great for the Waste Management crew that works your neighborhood each week.  Remember, it is getting colder now so they would love a cup of hot java for those wintery morning.
32. Volunteer at a food bank for a couple of hours.  Have your children do it, also.
33. Volunteer at a feeding for the homeless. Sonny's BBQ often partners with Salvation Army for these. Check out this organization's effort to help the Homeless.
34. Donate to your favorite charity.
35. Help with a beach clean-up.
36. Collect warm coats and jackets for the needy and homeless.
37. Visit sick children in the hospital (find out beforehand what help is needed) and cheer them up.
38. Be encouraging to all you meet. You never know who is having a hard day.
39. Many are starved for human touch.  A hand on the shoulder or similar touch, used with caution, is encouraging.  For some, a hug could be life-changing.
40. Speak life-affirming words.  What are the good qualities you recognize in your friend? Tell them what they are and how they live out those qualities in good ways.
41. When talking with someone, ask them about them and their situation, don’t talk about yourself.
42. If your friend is grieving a loved one, encourage them to talk about the person and listen well.
43. Give words of blessing.  When we bless others, we release the blessing of God on them.
44. Put together a care package.  Who wouldn’t want to receive a tangible box of love and encouragement? These care packages are great for the homeless as well. Check out this link for great ideas for the care packages.
45. Extend neighborly kindness and encouragement. Bake and share….especially warm from oven. Have phone numbers of several neighbors so you can go down a list to find one at home to bless with your fresh-baked goodness.
46. Be a positive, joyful person.  We can only encourage, love, and bless others with what we already have.
47. Fill jelly jars with flowers picked from your garden.  Drop by a nursing home with them and bless the residents there.  If you have a gift such as singing or playing the piano, you can entertain.
48. Promote a friend or acquaintance for the things they do. (Including their business).  Everyone needs a cheerleader.
49. Treat your co-worker with something small every now and then: a candy bar, their favorite coffee, a fun pen, etc.
50. Let someone know they are important to you by turning off your cell phone when someone starts sharing with you.
51. Write down a Bible verse that meets the need of your friend’s heart and send it in the mail, or text it, or post it on their Facebook wall for encouragement.
52. Slip a little card in a co-workers mailbox thanking them or recognizing them for something in the workplace.

And for good measure…three more.

1. Give a toy.  Play is under-rated and helps produce lots of smiles.
2. If you see someone doing something kind for another person….recognize that act.
3. Random acts of kindness have a powerful ripple effect.

Don't forget! Feel free to post a photo or comment using the hashtag #52DaysOfMiracles