#handsofkindness

[handsofkindness-blog]

Teddy

Watching a pet fondly at play can be therapeutic.

Over the last few weeks I have gotten to know this little guy, Teddy.

Too bad he is not my pet but I get to spend an hour with him, four days per week.

Being with Teddy has allowed me to show compassion, to develop humility and to be patient.

Teddy is about 6 weeks by now and as he grows he becomes more adventurous, excited and exploratory.

 You grow and as you become more aware of your surroundings you strive to make the most of it.

I don’t usually argue with Teddy…LOL. I don’t prevent the guy from getting to know life… well of course, you have to keep him safe but you have to let him learn from his mistakes.

Teddy is a cocker spaniel, a really cute dog, the minute you see him you just want to grab him in your arms.

I’m a little less attractive, I’m not the kind of person you see and immediately want to hug. I’m not easy to figure out and I have a very hard time trying to figure out myself as well.

 I’m coming from a place where I had to distance myself from people because of my struggle due to child abuse and homophobia. I never had the opportunity to be ‘me’, to be myself and to learn from my own mistakes. Maybe if I had opportunities of such, I would probably not be as neurotic as I am currently nor as fearful to experiment, dream and achieve.

 But day after day, I learn to be more appreciative of life.

Yes, I am still a little vulnerable, I worry about everything.

But though my journey with Teddy and with every new endeavor that I encounter, I try to learn something…and that’s so I can be stronger and be a better person.

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[handsofkindness-blog]

Christmas at the Shelter

Norwalk, Connecticut seems to be a great town in many aspects of recreation, governance and charity.

The local shelter is in itself a community facility that extends its hands, from not only providing for the homeless but in also feeding and clothing everyone else, though in less severe situations, but may still require support.

The Open Door Shelter, to be specific, has been a major focus for me. I volunteer there whenever help is needed.

Most often, I work with the staff at the monthly clothes drive but most recently I helped out in the kitchen for the annual Christmas dinner for the residents.

The regular staff surely needed a break on Christmas morning, of course, like everyone else... but for their dedicated work throughout the year, my local church did them a favor of a Christmas gift. We joined at the shelter at 4:00 am to start preparation on breakfast and getting everything in running order.

Christmas morning was really chilly outside but it was really adventurous getting up in the wee hours of the morning and walking down Washington Street.

Too bad I still hadn’t gotten into the practice of wearing gloves so I had my hands tucked in my jacket, hardly able to stretch them out to zip my jacket which was open. But entering the doors of the shelter was just what I needed and the warmth of the busy volunteers, who were already on site easily, consumed my fascination.

I went immediately to peeling potatoes.

Indeed, I leaned a new skill.

I remained busy at work, for about an hour… putting patties in the oven to setting the dining tables.

Upon leaving, I had a feeling of accomplishment, knowing that I had no further plans for the rest of the day. Christmas Day was marvelous nonetheless.

 The Open Door Shelter is where I find company when I feel alone. I see people who are in worse situations than I am and the fact that we can communicate and help each other is uplifting. I hope to continue working with the people at this great home.

[thepracticeco]

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV) Kindness is simple... Smile at a stranger, genuinely compliment friend, cook a meal for someone facing hardship... It's rather simple, but it's impact is powerful. Kindness can lift the broken heart, ease someone's pain, cut through self doubt, bring friends together, shift perspectives, allow forgiveness to flow, places value on the self-doubter, bridges racial and social divides, encourages, inspires, warms... No matter where you go, the language of kindness is always impacting. Of late, I have been reminded of the kindness of God. His language, His affection, His disposition, His heart, His hands are full of kindness and are actually kindness. In Gods pursuit of you, me... Of others, kindness is his offensive and defensive weapon. It's kindness that he gloves His strong hands with to draw us to himself. Things in life may not seem kind, they may not end well and we may challenge God and his heart toward mankind... But no matter what the circumstance, when you engage Jesus, you will be met with kindness. Not judgement, Not condemnation, not a verbal liturgy of all your wrong doings... But strong, beautiful, circumstance defying kindness. He is kind and He does good things... I'm reflecting on that today. Peace and love xxoo #handsofkindness #kind #kindness #jesus #jesussaves #devotion #pocketfuel #devotional Download our APP, browse our store, or subscribe to our DAILY or WEEKLY email devotions at http://pktfuel.com