100 creative ways to love others by Corny Poems Inc.

www.TheLoveRevolution.com

THE LOVE REVOLUTION

100 Creative Ways to Love Others

THE LOVE REVOLUTION

100 Creative Ways to Love Others

100

Creative Ways to Love Others

Return your grocery cart.

Clean up your local park.

Showing You Care—Shanika V., Brooklyn NY

As a single woman, I know how difficult it is at times not to have someone to share special moments and holidays with. God put it in my heart to buy a dozen individually wrapped roses and give them to other single women with a card that read “Happy Valentine’s Day! God Loves You.”

Send someone a letter in the mail.

Ask your waiter how their day is going.

Relay a Refundâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Cecelia F., N. Charleston SC

Each year, when I receive a tax refund, I randomly choose people and give them $100 each. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a single mom with three children and no additional income besides employment, but I just love giving.

Put out your neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trash.

Organize a benefit.

Give What You’ve Got—Lesta R., Tacoma WA

I have a ministry that provides housing for men released from prison. We were having problems with funding, and my six-year-old granddaughter gave me her birthday card with $3 in it—everything she had—to give to the former prisoners.

Smile at a stranger.

Leave a note of encouragement.

Sweet Charityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Chinedu O., Lagos NIGERIA

A certain afternoon, while returning from an official assignment, I walked past a beggar at the foot of a pedestrian bridge. I remembered I had a pie Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d bought for my little sister and decided to give it to the beggar instead. I saw deep gratitude in her eyes and felt deep joy and fulfillment at that moment and throughout the day.

Chase down a neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pet and put it back in their yard.

Give someone a hug.

Surprise!—Michelle P., Arlington TX

I like to surprise people with gifts. I’ll leave someone a book or send them flowers or a care package for no special reason. I’ve paid for school lunches and visits to the doctor, and donated money toward missions. I also like to put candy bars in my husband’s lunchbox. But it has to be a secret or surprise—because that’s what makes it fun!

Take an elderly person shopping.

Adopt a child.

Send a handwritten card or letter.

Mow your neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawn.

New School Suppliesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Rodney C., Fenton MO

One Sunday, four kids from the neighborhood knocked on our door, selling tiny fish they caught in the pond at my apartment complex. They were trying to raise money for school supplies. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any cash, so my wife ran to the store and bought a bunch of supplies and brought them back to the kids.

Heavy Liftingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Laura A., Maple Lake MN

I noticed an elderly lady in front of me at the store checkout. She was struggling with a very large, heavy bag of dog food, so I helped her load it into her car. Afterward, we had a pleasant chat.

Discover a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential and encourage them.

Let someone go in front of you in line.

Closet Giverâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Kathryn V., Broken Arrow OK

I have a gift closet and whenever someone comes to visit me, I give them a gift.

Let someone else have the last sale item.

Forgive a loan.

A Load of Laundryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jess R., St. Louis MO

There was a time in my life when I lived out of my car and one thing I hated was not being able to wash my clothes. God has blessed me beyond my imagination, and lately I just leave my extra quarters at the laundromat. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s small, but enough for a load.

Tell your boss when a coworker does a great job.

Make amends with family members.

Filling a Need—Lisa G., Albuquerque NM

I heard a coworker say he hadn’t eaten in two days because he’s struggling with debt and had nothing left over from his paychecks. The next day I put twenty dollars in an envelope which simply said “From me to you.”

Pay for someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meal in a restaurant.

Leave a gift for your mailman.

Plant flowers in a public place.

Pay someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electric bill.

Foul-Weather Friendâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jana P., Fenton MO

After shoveling my driveway, I was a little tired, but I saw my 80-something-year-old neighbor dragging a heavy shovel across her driveway. It took us both (yeah, she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t about to let me do it all by myself) an hour or so to finish. And I made a good friend out of it.

Open a door for someone.

Throw a surprise party â&#x20AC;&#x201D;just because.

Phone a Friendâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Linda T., Colorado Springs CO

I am disabled and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get out of the house, but I can still use the phone. So every two to four weeks I call up fifteen different ladies, who are also stuck at home, to encourage them and talk about the Lord.

Visit someone in the hospital.

Befriend someone outside your usual group.

Willing Organ Donorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;RaChelle W., Essex UK

I moved to East London in 2002 and met a lady named Sandra where my children attended primary school. I discovered that she had end-stage renal failure. While I was praying for her, God told me to give her my kidney. After much debating and prayer, I stepped out in faith and went through the eight months of tests and the surgery. Now, a year later, Sandraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health has bounced back beyond what I expected. She can outrun me to a bus now!

Invite someone to church.

Generously tip your waiter or waitress.

Partner with a humanitarian aid group.

Spend quality time with your family.

Gifts for Christmasâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Gabriel F., St. Louis MO

For many years, my wife and I have chosen a family in need and anonymously sent them the money we saved for Christmas. When my wife was a kid, someone did this for her family when her parents were having a rough time financially. She will never forget the blessing that was and how they chose to do it in a way that was aimed at blessing them instead of getting the credit.

Get to know the cashier at the grocery store.

Volunteer somewhere new.

Cookies with Compassionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Andrea C., St. Louis MO

I took my neighbor some fresh baked cookies the day after she found out her car had been stolen. I left the cookies and a small bag of coffee with a note letting her know she deserved a treat after that kind of day.

Give blood.

Join a walk for a cause.

Pay a compliment.

Shave your head to support a friend going through cancer treatment.

Lending an Earâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Angela C., Lebanon VA

I had my windshield replaced. The repairman asked me if I would like to watch while he did the work. I listened while he shared his past with me, full of anger and betrayal, and when he got into his truck to go, he commented that sometimes it was just easier to talk to a stranger. I patted him on the shoulder and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;God bless you.â&#x20AC;? I had never seen him before, and I have not seen him since, but I was deeply moved by this experience and sometimes pray for him. I hope that he is doing well.

Covering the Rentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Nathan B., West Bend WI

My friend John was having trouble finding work. While talking to his friend Arnie, John confessed that business was slow and they were two months behind on rent. A couple days later, Arnie handed John a check for $3,600â&#x20AC;&#x201D;enough to cover the two late months and the next one! Arnie says he knew the Lord wanted him to give it, and he wanted to share!

Clean the snow off your neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s windshield.

Invite someone for coffee.

Bus Fare to Paradiseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Karen M., Stafford VA

When I was at Whataburger in Pensacola with my family, we noticed a homeless man sitting across from us. He wanted to take a bus ride to the beach (my favorite place in the country). I gave him three or four dollarsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and he gave me a tremendous hug, screaming he loved me, and literally began dancing in the restaurant with joy. My brother stated how appropriate the manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response was, because that is exactly how I act about going to the beach.

Invite people over for dinner.

Be a courteous driver.

Parent Supportâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Tonya L., Santee CA

I have led a support group for parents of special needs children twice a month for fourteen years.

Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru.

Pay for someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s groceries at the market.

Mailbox Gift Box—Pam A., Spokane WA

I’ve always liked to surprise our mail carriers by leaving little goodies in our mailbox every now and then. After we moved away, a previous neighbor said the mailman missed us—and the surprises we used to leave him.

Dirt Under the Nailsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Laura K., Athens TX

We took twenty-one adults and three kids to do an extreme yard makeover for a widow. The kids got to dig and play in the dirt, and learned they could love people for God by having fun!

Pick up trash you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drop.

Call someone to chat.

Bake Them a Cake—Anne-Mari M., Jyvaskyla FINLAND 68 I’m a stay-home mom and I love to bake. So I’ll whip up a cake for someone, just the way they like it.

Prayer Walkerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jennifer D., Lawrence KS

I walk to work nearly every day. On my way there, I always pass a young boy named Matt, who is always waiting for the school bus to come pick him up. I wave, say good morning, and sometimes chat a bit with him. Then I pray for him the rest of the way to work.

Refold or rehang the clothes in the store.

Give up a parking spot.

Donate your clothes.

Give up your seat.

Field Trip Treats—Candace M., Hernando MS

I like to give extra money to my children’s classroom for the children who don’t have money for treats anytime they take a field trip.

Keep items in your car to give away to those in need.

Babysit for free.

Generous with Jewelry—Tami S., Deerfield Beach FL

I have a silver crown ring with crystals on it. I like it so much I ordered 100 of them so that every time I get a compliment on mine, I can give one away and say, “May you be reminded when you look at this ring that we are God’s daughters—that makes us princesses!”

Get to know a neighbor.

Leave an inspirational book at a coffeehouse.

More Than Volunteeringâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Tricia L., Charleston IL 80 I volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center and was able to go along with a young woman to her birthing classes. It was a thrill for me to rejoice with her as we heard her daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very first cry!

Give someone a gift you know theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve wanted for a while.

Be nice to a telemarketer.

Love Letters from Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Tina B., Fort Worth TX

When a friend or relative is in need of a pick-me-up, I pray for words to come from God, then write them a personal note sharing Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promises from the Bible. I truly enjoy mailing, emailing and hand delivering these love letters from God to those who need a simple reminder of His love.

Donate books to your local library.

Listen to someone who needs to talk.

Public Servant #1â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Demian F., Fairview Heights IL

Anytime Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m at a restaurant, I help the waiter or busboy clean off the tables.

Share your groceries with those in need.

Clean a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house.

Pleasant to Patients—Janis K., Las Vegas NV

I work at the front desk of a doctors’ office. I try to put people at ease about their upcoming surgery. When they come in for their appointment I say, “Have a good surgery! See you in two weeks.” This usually makes them smile.

Share your umbrella.

Give city workers a bottle of water.

Encouraging Emailsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Janel J., St. Louis MO

I send out inspirational, encouraging and uplifting emails. Each one begins with a song, Scripture and words of encouragement.

Friend to the Homelessâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Sharon P., Norfolk UK

I volunteer in our city, giving away hot beverages and chocolate bars to homeless people, and just listening to them talk.

Tell the janitor thanks.

Leave chocolate on your coworkersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; desks.

Buying a Better Day—Melissa C., Cleveland TN

As I was waiting in the drive-thru, a car pulled up behind me. I knew they were stressed out because they were fighting with their kids, so I told the lady at the window that I wanted to pay for their food. She looked at me like I was crazy. All I said was, “Tell them that I hope they have a better day and God bless.”

Providing an Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Shaini M., Punjab INDIA

My maid did not have money to put her daughter in school, so I offered to pay the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fees. She asked me to take it from her salary, but it gave me so much joy to see her face when I told her that it was a gift for her daughter.

Give someone directions.

Read to a child.

Show Your Appreciationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Leslie W., Lahaina HI

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Following a shooting on Maui, where a person was killed by police acting in self-defense, our local paper printed some horrible letters to the editor about policemen. It made me sad because they risk their lives every day. So when I went out for lunch and two policemen came in behind me, I paid their bill. It was my way of saying thanks.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;John 15:12

Do everything in love.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;1 Corinthians 16:14

We love because he first loved us. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;1 John 4:19

â&#x20AC;ŚClothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Colossians 3:12, 14 perfect unity. All Bible references are from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.

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