He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’;and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 NIV
Valentine’s Day is all about romantic hearts, balloons, flowers, and cards. But imagine a Valentine’s where young girls aren’t smashed because of unrequited love. I grew up thinking that Valentine’s was only about romantic love. Sure I got a few well-wishes from friends, but that was just the fluff. If you didn’t have a boyfriend, you just weren’t as special as everyone else–or at least that’s what I thought.
We have the power to change our kids’ hearts and make Valentine’s Day something more. Click To TweetThe last thing I want is for my girls’ identity to be wrapped up in whether or not some silly boy is falling all over them. The beauty of it is, we have the power to change our kids’ hearts and make Valentine’s Day something more. We can’t wait until they are teenagers and already smashed because of the lack of attention they are getting. We can start now by making Valentine’s Day about showing real love, true love, the kind that Jesus has for others. We can start by teaching our kids to use Valentine’s as an opportunity to show RAK (random acts of kindness) to our neighbors.
Why RAK?
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
RAK (aka Random Acts of Kindness) are all about showing loving randomly to people. The emphasis on this is “random.” We aren’t sending love to someone because they first loved us. We are sending to love to those who may or may not be loving because that’s what God calls us to do. None of us are perfect and we want to be shown love too, so let’s lead by example.
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High,because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Luke 6:35 NIV
When we love on those we don’t even know, we aren’t doing it because we expect anything in return. We are simply doing it because it’s the right thing to do.
RAK Suggestions
So now that you are sold on RAK, what are some simple, family-oriented RAK that you can do for others?
- Leave a flowers on cars at the grocery.
- Put coins in candy and toy machines. Leave them for someone to find.
- Clip coupons and lay them on the items where they are located in the stores.
- Leave fun bookmarks in random books at the library.
- Make a care package to send to soldiers.
- Pass out Valentine’s candy boxes to the homeless.
- Use sidewalk chalk to leave positive notes or Bible verses in a local park.
For more ideas, you might want to check out RandomActsofKindness.org or Kind Spring, entire websites dedicated to RAK!
Who’s got time for that?
If you work and your child goes to school, choose an activity to do in the afternoon or over the weekend. If you are a homeschool mom, why not make a day of it? There’s nothing more important than teaching our kids to be loving and kind! You can also include writing notes or sticking within a budget and handling money for math, too. Whatever you choose, do it with gusto and flair. Say a prayer for the recipients and discuss the activity when you are done. You are changing the meaning behind Valentine’s Day, one RAK at a time.
What RAK would you like to do for Valentine’s Day?
Valerie says
I love these ideas to help teach our kids what love is all about and the power of kindness!
Valerie recently posted…The Biggest Fear Keeping You From Impacting Your World
Rachel says
It always touched me when a stranger gives me a coupon for something I am buying at the grocery store. It has happened to me maybe twice now!
Carrie This Home says
I really love these ideas, Tara! Not only does it bring Jesus’ love to people around us, but it also helps point our kids to a better meaning of Valentine’s day. I’m pinning this to inspire our family to do some RAKs this year. Thanks for the inspiration!
admin says
Thanks so much for pinning! Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
andrea says
thanks for clarifying the word “RAK” – and as for the post – what would Jesus do? that’s what we should do – period! 🙂
andrea recently posted…It’s Sunday – And It’s Time To Wake Up!
OurFamilyWorld says
These are great ideas. I like to do random acts of kindness whenever I can.
OurFamilyWorld recently posted…Secrets to Picking an Amazing Sitter Your Dog will Love
Elizabeth O. says
There’s nothing better to do on any given day than to show people kindness. A little act of kindness can go a long way. And it would especially be great if you do it on a day such as Valentine’s day. Awesome idea, perfect for teaching kids a valuable lesson.
admin says
Thanks. You are right–there is nothing better than an act of kindness!