31 ways e-book

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

1/53

Copyright Jennifer Peterson you may not copy this book

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

2/53

Copyright Jennifer Peterson You may not copy this book. 1

31 Ways to Brighten Someone's Day

By Jennifer Peterson

@2014 All rights reserved.Jennpeterson.orgtwitter:

@jennmpetersonInstagram: @jennmpeterson

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

3/53


I dedicate this book to my sweet husbandEric Peterson and my dear friend

Rebekah Ellis.Thank you for all your love, support, and

encouragement.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

4/53


Contents

Day 1 Our words have power Day 17 Give a ride

Day 2 Bring in school supplies Day 18 Do the wash

Day 3 Leave a comment Day 19 SoupDay 4 Bring flowers Day 20 Visit a nursing home

Day 5 Lighten the load Day 21 Donate to a shelter

Day 6 Write a love letter Day 22 Read

Day 7 Plan a date Day 23 Be a mentor

Day 8 Make play-dough Day 24 Brighten your day

Day 9 Leave a devotional Day 25 Don't compare

Day 10 Compliment Day 26 Forgive

Day 11 Say thank you Day 27 Apologize

Day 12 Call a friend Day28 Give up a meal

Day 13 Share and share and share Day 29 Pull out your pom poms

Day 14 Donate toys Day 30 Make cookies

Day 15 Feed the hungry Day 31 Spill on yourself

Day 16 Send a card

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

5/53


Introduction

I believe with my whole heartthat our little acts of kindness are not little.

That God uses them in mighty ways.

Some of the most heart felttouching moments in my life came in small ways.

A kind word when I wanted to give up.Holding the door open for me,

when I struggled with the stroller.A meal brought over unexpectedly.

A text, a card in the mail.

All little things.But they made a huge impact on my day.

We never know how Godis going to use our words,

and small acts of kindness to impact others.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

6/53


Day 1:

Choose to bring life.

Text someone an encouraging verse or prayer.Don't know who to send it to?Pray that God reveals to you.

Someone who would need an encouraging word.

Maybe during the day a name will come to mind.And you won't be able to shake it.

You could wonder why.But God revealed that person to you for a reason.

God sees what we can't.God hears the unspoken prayers.

Send the text.

Maybe friend, youre reading this, and youre

needing some encouragement.

I leave you this:

And we know that all things work together forthegood to those who love God, to those who arethe

called according to His purpose.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

7/53


8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

8/53


Day 2:Bring in school supplies.

Every year the girls and I set outwith our school supply list and hit the stores.

It's easy to take for granted that we can just go to thestores and buy the supplies.

But there are so many kidswhose families can't afford supplies.

Next time youre at the store:pick up some school supplies.

Drop them off at your local schools.

There are a lot of families still hurting.Still struggling to get by.

Some maybe we see everyday.They hide it so well we don't see it.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

9/53


Day 3:

Leave a comment.

We--bloggers, authors, writers, and wordsmiths--We know what it feels like to pound out our feelings on

the keyboard.Stay up late after everyone is in bed.

To bare our souls, cry and bleed over posts.

Sometimes the words are easy and free.

They pour out like water gushing,and other times,it feels like hours of torture,

trying to get what is in our hearts out into a sentence.

After all this staying up, writing,bleeding and pouring out.

We hit the publish button.Sometimes hitting that publish button feels like

turning in an essay, to be graded.

Our hearts start to pound a little.We question that one sentence.

We go back and edit one more time.

We keep ourselves busyandpretend we don't careifanyone read our posts.

Or we go to bed, and think.

The truth is we do care, and sometimes we feel we failed.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

10/53


That we got a big fat F.

We judge our paper on the amount of commentsand how many hits we get.

Or how many shares we got or we didn't get.

Even though we know these are lies,we all know how this feels.

We all know how lonely writing can be.

So today, let's find a blogger that we don't know.

Let's extend a hand, maybe even a hug, and introduceourselves.

And leave a heartfelt comment.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

11/53

Day 4:


Bring someone flowers.

Seriously, who doesn't loveto get flowers for no reason?

Want to make it a little extra fun?Have your kids ding-dong ditch the neighbors

(or whomever youre bringing flowers to)while leaving the flowers on the front step.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

12/53

Day 5:


Lighten the load.

Do a task.It doesn't have to be a huge chore.

It can be somethingas little as:

Bringing in the garbage can for your neighbor.Or pulling weeds at your grandma's.

Clean the car for your husband, or

help your friend set up a party.

Today, be on the lookout for littleways you can help out.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

13/53


Day 6:Write a love letter.

Write a letter to someonewho needs some encouragement.

Who needs hope.Who needs to know

that someone out there, cares for themand is praying for them.

Don't know who to send one to....Click here

Because the world needs more love letters.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

14/53


Day 7:

Plan a date.

Forget about the mounds of laundryand the never-ending to-do list.Forget about cleaning toilets

and the paper piles on the counters.Forget about the cereal smashed into the carpet

and the spilled milk on the kitchen floor.

Invite someone on a date.A coffee date.At your place or theirs

or at the local coffee shop.

Invite a new friend.

Or catch up with an old friend.

Take time to encourage.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

15/53


8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

16/53


Day 8:Make up a batch of play dough.

Send it in with your kids for the teacher.

Most teachers pay for indoor recess items:games, books, etc., with their own money.

We have been doing this for years now,and the teachers always appreciate it.

Make some for your own kids.

Play-dough Recipe:

1-cup water1 Tablespoon Vegetable oil

!cup Salt

1 Tablespoon Cream of Tartar1 cup Flour

Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar and flourin a small pan over medium heat.

Once all mixed and a ball forms, remove from heatand knead until smooth.

Add food coloring if desired.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

17/53


Day 9:Leave a devotional at your local coffee shop.

Leave a note inside.Don't know what to say?

Pray that God will give you the words.

We never know how God is going to use adevotional to touch someone's life.

Don't want to leave it at a coffee shop?Pray that God lays on your heartsomeone to give one to.

This could be a start of a beautiful friendship.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

18/53


Day 10:Give a heartfelt compliment to a stranger.

Wouldn't that just make your day if someonecame up to you and paid you a compliment?

For no apparent reason?Just because they saw something in you.

What if our kind words to someone

are the only kind wordsthey hear all day?What if those words gave them their last hope?

What that could do for someone.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

19/53


Day 11:

Say thank you to your pastor.

I don't know about youbut my least favorite class in high school

was speech class.Every time I had to say a speech in front of

the class I would break out in hives,my palms would get clammy,

my voice would crack.

Let's just say, I was a mess.And let's not forgetI also had to write the speech.

Hours of research.So miserable.

I couldn't wait for that class to be over.I barely passed. Ididn't even care.

Standing in front of the class, speaking,being engaging.

This is not a gift of mine.

Where am I going with all this, you ask?

If you happen to be going to church on Sunday.Thank your pastor.

Each week they prepare sermons.And deliver them every Sunday standing in front of us.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

20/53


(And don't break out in hives and a crackling voice).It is a gift, people.

A calling.

Thank him or her for all they do.All the behind-the-scenes.

All those things we have no idea about.Thank them for that sermon

that spoke to you and youfelt was written just for you.

Feeling a little weird about that?Send a text or e-mail.Or write a thank you card instead.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

21/53

Day 12:


Call a friend.

As much as I love texting.Messaging.

Direct messages.And e-mails.

I feel that with them there can be a lot ofmiscommunication.

Or things can be taken the wrong way.

Simply because youdon't know how someone is saying it.Nothing beats an actual phone call.

Talking, and listening.Voice to voice.

Call a friend today on the phone and let them knowyou're thinking about them.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

22/53

Day 13:Share.

Has someone written a postrecently that just touched you?

Maybe it touched you to the point of tears,and no words.

Afterreading their post you felt better.

You finally felt you weren't alone or crazy.That there was hope.

Share.

Put it on your Facebook page.Tweet it.

Put it in your own blog post.

You never know if the words that were writtenwill brighten someone else's day.

Simply by you sharing that post!

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

23/53

Day 14:

Donate toys.

She was just three months old.When she had her first breathing treatment.

My heart sank a little.Scared that I did not know what the future held for us.I would ask myself why does a three month old need a

breathing treatment?And why is she always sick?

At the age of one.She had twenty-one ear infections.

And countless numbers of doctors appointments.At that time we felt,

God was calling me to quit my job.I am glad we listened.

At the age of two, she was scheduled for surgery to puttubes in her ears, hoping this would open her ears and

lead to fewer ear infections.It was then we had to make a dash

to Children's Hospital in Chicago to test for leukemia.The blood tests had shown there was something wrong

with her blood count.It was one of the longest day of my life.

The tests revealed she did not have leukemia

and the surgery went as scheduled.

We where so hopeful that surgery would"fix" why she was always so sick.

Instead she came down with a lung infection.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

24/53

Then we were sent to a pediatric pulmonologist.And we ended up at Rush University.

Where she had to do a sweat test tocheck for cystic fibrosis.

The test came back negative.But then.

Five months later we spent three days in the hospital.

This was her first three years life.In and out of doctors' offices.

Blood tests, and hospital stays.

She is eleven now and her asthma is what we callunder control.

She has learned to speak up,when it is hard to breathe

She has learned how to care for her bodyand her asthma.

And I know that for many lives is in a hospital.Holidays and birthdays are spent on the pediatric floor.

When we spent three days in the hospitalit got boring.

Really boring.Thank goodness others donated books, crayons

to the hospital.

Brighten a kid's day and donate:Crayons, coloring books, puzzles, games and books

to your local Children's Hospital.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

25/53

Day 15:Feed the hungry.

The other day while grocery shopping I ran into a youngfather and his son in the juice aisle.

The little boy had wanted apple juice.But after looking at the price of the apple juice

the father convinced the little boy that Kool-Aidwould

taste better.

I couldn't help but notice that there was barely any foodin his cart.And the food in his cart surely would not support a

growing boy.It broke my heart.

Did you know that:1 in 6 Americans face hunger.

50.1 million Americans struggle to put any food onthe table.

More than 1 in 5 children are at risk of hunger.In the U.S., Hunger isn't caused by the lack of

food but rather the continued prevalenceof poverty.

Find a local shelter and donate some canned food.Or donate your time to help those who are without.Or give to a hurting family.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

26/53

Day 16:Send a card.

Do you know any college students?Maybe your sitter went to college.Maybe it was your small group.

*Sniff, sniff*

Maybe your sister or brother,niece or nephew.

Maybe even your own childand their group of friends.

I know they get homesick and miss everyone.I know for a lot of them

they get lonely.They are in a new season of their lives

and it can be scary.

Send them a card.

Let them know youre praying for them.Thinking of them,

and love them.Throw in a gift card for a coffee.

We all know how they need a cup

every once in a while.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

27/53

Day 17:

Give a ride.

Offer a ride to someone you seewho is in need.

If you can't think of someone, pray that God wouldbring to mind someone who is in need.

Even if it is someone you may not know well.You never know; you could make a new friend.

Most people I know hate to ask.

They hate to feel that othersare going out of their way.Offer to take their kid to school or youth group.

Do you know if they have a doctors appointment?Offer to take them.

Offer to pick up something they need.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

28/53

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

29/53

"#$"#$

Day 18:

Do the wash.

Next time you're at the carwash.Pay for the person

behind you.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

30/53

"#$"#$

Day 19:

Bring someone soup.

But look for someone who is quietly in need.

Maybe there is a mom at dance who has little kidsand a traveling husband.

Maybe there is a single dad you see take his kidsto gymnastics at the nightly class.And you know he works all day.

Maybe there is a neighbor who is all alone,and missing her family.

Maybe you have a friend who is taking care of a sick

parent or child.

Surprise them and bring them some dinner.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

31/53

Mema's Chicken Noodle Soup:


1 cut up chicken- cover with water in big pot with celery2 bay leaves, salt and pepper.

Cook 2-3 hours on low. Strain broth.Add to broth, carrots, chicken (cut up)

!to"cup of tomato sauce and egg noodles.Simmer until carrots and noodles are done.

(This soup freezes well).

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

32/53

Day 20:Visit a nursing home.

There are so many ways to bless.

Sing carols.Bring in cookies,

Have a cup of coffeeor play a game of cards with someone.

So many of the people in the nursing homesor assisted living are lonely.

Family may not live in the areaand can only come to visit on holidays.

Sadly, a lot of people are forgotten about.

Call your local nursing home and ask whatyou could do or if there is anyone in need.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

33/53

Day 21:Donate to a shelter.

I don't know about you.But our dog is a family member.

We adopted her three years agofrom a shelter.

My husband had wanted a boxer,

butwhen Geraldine crawled into mylap,it was over, I was in love.

I think of all the volunteers that took care of her andloved her until we adopted her.

Volunteers run most shelters.And those volunteers bring in towels and blankets

for the animals.that they bring from home or they buy.

Bring in old towels and blanketsto your local shelter.

Shelters often get looked over as a way

to brighten someone's day.I know they would love to get:

towels, blankets, and even some food.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

34/53

Day 22:

Read with a child.

When I was made awareof the kids in the towns next to us.

Who were hurting, poor, and without.In our backyard.

It broke my heart.I asked myself what could I do?

I prayed for ways to help.

When one opportunity came up.To go to one of the local schools,

and help read to kids.I knew this was an answer to prayer.

Donating is wonderful and we should give,but so are relationships.

What a perfect way to build a relationship.With a child who is hurting.

So grab a couple of friends, call your local schoolsand see if there is a need.

Brighten a child's day by reading with her.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

35/53

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

36/53

Day 23:

Be a mentor.

We sat across from each other at Starbucks a year ago.The conversation went a little like this:

"How would you feel about coaching the small groupleaders?"

I sat staring at him. For a while.

"I don't know. These girls--they ask tough questions.

They are deep you know.Some of these girls,they are going through some tough things.

Why can't they talk about boys?I feel like I am failing them. I

never went to Bible school.Leading the other leaders

I am not sure I would have the answers.

"You don't have to know everything,we can teach you the Bible.

What we can't do is teach someone to love."

His words sat with me for a long time.

They made their way to my heart.And to all those doubts.All those things others whispered about me.

The criticizing. The judging.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

37/53

Someone had laughed once at my dreamwhen I was just out of high school.

My heart's desire has always been toreach out and help teen girls.

That laughs held me back.And I let it hold me back.

It's been over a year now.That I have been leading a small group

and coaching other leaders.And it has been the biggest blessing in my life.

It is true when the Bible says:Proverbs 27:17Iron sharpens

iron.

The girls in my small group and the girls I "coach"(I still have issues with saying that)

have taught me so much.

We have learned from each other,grown deeper with each other and with God.

Don't let your fears of Bible knowledgekeep you from mentoring someone.

If you love God and follow Him.You can lead.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

38/53

31 Ways to Brighten Someone's Day

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

39/53

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

40/53

tip toe around me.Who wants that kind of friendship?

Not me.(In fact, looking back, it's embarrassing,

and I wonder how I had the time to getall uptight over silly things).

So today and every day, brighten your day and.overlook offenses.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

41/53


Day 25:

Don't compare.

Comparison is the thief of joy.Theodore Roosevelt

There are no winners when we compareourselves to each other.

We eitherput ourselves above someone

thinking we are better.And pride sets in.Admit, we have all done that.

But I think most of us struggle with this,we compare, and maybe become,

envious and jealous of others.

Social media is like a first date.

Everyone dresses up.

And puts on their best behavior.

Then we compare our messes to that.

We compare our failures and screw upsand where we lack to

a first date.

And everyone loses when we compare.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

42/53


We lose being happy for ourfriend we love and care for.

We lose learning from each other.

We forget that they have struggles.That they too have their own messes;

we forget that, they are in fact human.

We lose sight of what our purpose in life is.

We stop counting the blessings that God so freely gives.We steal our joy.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

43/53


Day 26:Forgive others.

Forgiving is hard, isn't?I know I have struggled to forgive others.Those who have hurt me either by actions

or by their careless words.

Forgiving them can feel like we are lettingthem off the hook.

But in reality we are only imprisoning ourselves.To our past.

We know who, what, and where our hearts were broken.We replay it over and over. Imprisoning ourselves every-

time we do.

Unforgiveness keeps the pain alive.

It keeps us from healing.Making us pay for a crime we didn't do.

Ask God to show youany unforgiveness in your heart.Pray for God to help you forgive.

And start healing.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

44/53


Day 27:

Say youre sorry.

In the heat of an argument or misunderstandingI have been known to say

hurtful things.

Because my insecuritiesbubbled to the surface and I needed to defend myself.

And out of being self-centered and self-righteous.(Because I know it all).

My emotions would get the best of me.Words roll off my tongue without much thought,

and I come out lookinglike a jerk.

And hurting the one I love.

Have you ever been there?Just let words pour out,

thatyou didn't want to pourout?

You regret saying thingsand wish you could go back?

Me too, friend, me too.

Or there have been times where I didn't mean to soundlike a jerk, but I did.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

45/53


And I know I sounded like a jerk.And I didn't do anything about it, I just let it be!Thinking, well, good they needed to hear that.

Those are the moments I replay in my head, and I

scream to myselfDon't say it. Don't say it.

And I cringe, because I said it.Can someone say instant stomach knot?

I know I hurt someone, someone that I love and care for.

And our friendship is broken, all because of mycareless words and me.

If you have hurt someone by your words, or actionsbrighten their day and apologize.

(If you haven't already).

Maybe they said things that hurt you too.

But...don't let that stop you

in taking the first stepsin making your friendship right.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

46/53


Day 28:

Fast.

Do you have a friend whois going through a difficult

time in her life?A divorce.

The loss of a loved one.Dealing with infertility.

Financial stress.Unthinkable heartache.

We've all been there, at some point or another,a desert that is like no other.

And when you find yourself in the desert,prayer can be hard.

When I was twenty-two I wentthrough a really tough time.

There were many deserts in my life at that time.

You know when one thing after another happens,you become numb

You forget how to pray or even why you should pray.

I never forget a dear friend told me that she hadgiven up breakfast

to pray for me.

I have always remembered that.What she did for me.

The impact that had on me.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

47/53


And dear friends if you have a friend, who isgoingthrough a difficult desert,

and your heart aches for her.and youre not sure what more you could do.

How about dedicating a time togive up a meal, a snack, or even a cup of coffee and

go to the Father on behalf of your friend.And pray.

We know our prayers are effective.

James 5:16~

Therefore, confess your sins to each other andpray for each other so that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and

effective.

It is up to you and God if you tell your friend that youfasted for them.

And of course if you have a medical condition that you can't

go without food, then just pray. God knows your heart.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

48/53


Day 29:

Be a cheerleader.

I have done a few races in my life, some short, some long,and some in between.

Some of my hardest raceswere not the longest.

But the short three miles.The two hardest races I have ever done were 5ks.

My very first race I broke my foot,

which was easy compared to the 5k I did in sand,ninety-degree heat and a hundred percent humidity.Friends, I thought I was going to die!

And this is why I never race in the middle ofsummer.

But...In every single race I have done

there is one thing that is the same.

It is the one thing that I think isthe most important.

It's not how many water stations there are.It's not if there are any pacers?It's not how the race is timed.

It is the people on the sidelines cheering.

They keep us going when we want to quit;they clap as we cross the finish line.

And when I finish I want to hug every singleperson who cheered for me.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

49/53


I am sure they don't want me tosince I smell like, a runner.

Cheering for others helps them

when they want to quit and give up.

When they are tired and wonder if anyone notices theyare running this race. When they feel forgotten,

and they wonder if anyone still cares.

Being on the sidelines cheering is just as important as

being a runner.Whom are you going to cheer for?

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

50/53


Day 30:

Make cookies.

Make cookies for your friends, your family or neighbors.

Chocolate Chip cookie recipe:

1-cup butter,softened1 cup white

sugar

1Cup packed brownsugar2 eggs2Teaspoons vanilla

extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoonbaking soda 2 teaspoonshot water!teaspoon salt

2 cups semisweet chocolate chipsPreheat oven to 350. Cream together butter, and sugarsuntil smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, and then stir in

vanilla.Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along

with salt. Stir in flour and chocolate chips.Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.

Bake for 10 minutes in preheated oven.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

51/53


8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

52/53


Day 31:

Spill on yourself.

Your act of love is the needle and thread thatGoduses to stitch up the tears in others' torn hearts.

Your encouragement is the glue God uses to mend thepieces of their broken lives.

But I don't think it stops there.

When you give a little kindness to others.You spill a little on yourself.

Every time you reach out your love.God is stitching up your tears.

He is mending your heart.

Proverbs 11:25

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;those who help others are helped.

8/12/2019 31 ways e-book

53/53

My family and I did every act of kindness that was

written in the book.I didn't tell you that so you think we are

these amazing holy rollers.

But I tell you this becauseover and over we felt we were the

ones being blessed.

Each time the other person was touched.Some to the point of tears. In which we were then crying.

Some reached out later to let us know

that our act of kindness was perfect timing.A time when they were in need of encouragement.I would say that it was -God's perfect time.

But what if we had ignored God's promptingand chose not to act?

I believe that God would have used someone else butwe would have missed out on being used by God.

31 ways e-book

Documents

Transcript of 31 ways e-book