Haven't heard of the 30 Days of Kindness?  Click here to find out more.  Just starting?  That's okay!  Feel free to start this challenge right in the middle.  You can make up the days you missed through November, if you like.

Leave an encouraging Bible verse somewhere.  You have to be careful with this challenge.  I don't want you to go and give out Bible verses that will make Christians sound judgmental out of context, like "The wicked will perish."  You don't want to include Bible verses that talk about repenting or turning from sin.  Yes, those scriptures are important, but they will not encourage someone.  I'm looking for an encouraging Bible verse.  You may not even want to use something as common as John 3:16.  The thing about popular verses is that everyone knows them and they will turn people who hate religion off immediately.  But ultimately, it's up to you. 

Here are some example verses that you could use.
- John 16:33
- Psalm 46:1-3
- Isaiah 41:10
- Psalm 55:22
- 1 Peter 5:7
- Matthew 11:28

Leave your encouraging Bible verse on the windshield of someone's car, stuck to a bathroom mirror, on a park bench, in a hotel drawer...  God knows the purpose behind this verse, and He will help bring it to the right person.  Perhaps the verse will even be found by a fellow Christian who is having a difficult day and who simply needs a boost.

I want to hear your stories!  Leave me a comment and share what you did during today's challenge.  If you have a picture already, feel free to send it to me.  If you're blogging about today, send me the link and I'll feature it on this blog.

Stay tuned until later today to see what my friends and I did for today's act of kindness.

TOMORROW: Donate clothes to a shelter 

 

Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive

It was ninth grade.  I stood in a group with some casual friends of mine.  We were at a high school basketball game, but none of us was actually watching.  We had formed a circle, laughing and chattering and sharing all sorts of stories.  Several kids from the opposing school had joined us, and they were all cursing and talking about raucous subjects.  To my surprise, the kids I was with joined in without batting an eye.  I tried my best to stay out of the crude conversations, but I didn't want to leave the group , so I continued to laugh and talk with everyone without cussing or talking inappropriately.

At one point, a boy pulled me to the side.  "I've been watching you," he said.  "You're different.  There's something about you.  You stand out from the crowd.  I can't tell if it's the way you act, the way you talk... or what.   What is it about you that's so different?"

I was shy and timid, proud of myself for merely joining in a conversation that included people I didn't know.  I knew the answer to the boy's question: I stood out from the others because I loved Jesus.  I was a Christian.  However, I was embarrassed.  I didn't want to sound preachy or annoying.  I didn't want to look silly.  I stammered around for a few seconds before finally muttering, "I don't think there's anything different about me." 

"No, there is something different.  I can see it.  What is it?"

"Nothing.  It's nothing.  I guess I'm just a unique person," I mumbled and turned away from the boy and back to the crowd.

I dreamed about that situation for nights afterword.

I had a chance to share the Word of God with someone who didn't believe, and I lost that chance.  I failed the purpose God had for me in that moment.  To this day, I still feel incredibly guilty.  I hate the feeling of having failed God.  If I could go back right now, I would share my faith with that boy and chance a weird look or a mocking laugh.  I would embrace any ridicule I received. 

If you're ever in a situation where you're given the chance to share your faith- but possibly face ridicule- share your faith.  Don't let yourself feel ashamed of your choice later on when you have a moment to look back on the day.  Jesus is worth any and all ridicule.  Never be ashamed of what you believe.