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Scattering love: 10 sneaky ways to practice selfless gestures of kindness

On a recent 9-girlfriend getaway to Cape May on the Jersey Shore, our friend Barbie brought two large plastic bags packed with God’s perfectly formed seashells she had collected on her annual treks to Sanibel Island, Florida (considered the best shelling spot in North America).

Tiny perfect pastel coquinas, conchs, whelks, scallops, angel wings, and clamshells … perfectly intact. God is such a talented designer.

When normally most of us walk along the beach to collect seashells to take home, Barbie brings seashells to the beach! Since our Maryland and Jersey shorelines generally do not spit out such unique and gorgeous seashells such as the ones in Sanibel, she enjoys tossing them around on other beaches so beach-goers can be delighted as they discover these perfect little treasures.

Who does that?? Kind-hearted Barbie does that.

True giving is not being around to benefit from the reaction of a recipient or receiving kudos and pats on the back. True generosity is presenting your gift, then walking away, knowing you’ll be eventually providing a little thrill to someone.

Matthew 6:3-4 tells us: “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

Basically, let’s not do kind things only for publicity.

Following this wonderful example of Barbie as we fulfill acts of kindness to please God, what other selfless gestures could we practice unseen on friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, yes even strangers?

They say giving feels better than receiving. I’m a believer.

To all the BARBIEs out there on the planet who genuinely open their golden hearts to bring joy to strangers, who give back ten-fold, who pay it forward to the next person, who commit acts of kindness just because, who scatter love … may you always find the most perfectly formed seashells as you walk along. God placed them there for you.

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