Random Acts of Niceness
by Adelle Gabrielson

It was a balmy 72 degrees outside. Yup, the 12th of January and I drove to pick up my eldest son with the top open and the windows down. What a gift! I really don't do well when it's cold and gloomy. How I survived three years of early marriage in the state of Maine is still a mystery. I must have been grouchy a lot. When it's warm and sunny, I automatically feel genial and at peace with the world.

It felt more like late spring than early winter. I drove alone to pick up Colin after school that day. He's used to heading straight for Extended Care and has always wanted to experience the enticing, elusive "car line" after school. It's quite a process — the kids wait along the breezeway organized by grade as a spaghetti-string of cars winds around the parking lot. Teachers stationed along the way spot parents and radio ahead so that when you pull up, your child pops in, a helpful teacher buckles them and away you go. Drive-through kids instead of burgers.

Since it was such a beautiful day, I decided to make another drive-through to Baskin-Robbins. Colin was ecstatic —though they did not feature his favorite, neon blue "Splish Splash," he settled on Rainbow sherbet.

I didn't make the ice-cream pit stop as a reward, or because he had a remarkable day in school (it was only so-so). He didn't particularly deserve it. I took him just because I felt like it. I like surprising my kids and watching their eyes light up and the "Wahoo!" that ensues. I like makin' 'em happy for no reason whatsoever.

Yet, why is it so hard to fathom a benevolent, loving God would do the same for me? "Who among you when his child asks for bread would give him a stone? If you then know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:10-12

I need to be better about looking out for the random acts of godly kindness that I know are present in my life. Like warm, balmy days in the dead of winter!

Adelle Gabrielson spends her days working as a secretary at her children’s school and her evenings trying to keep the peace between two spirited boys, ages 7 and 3.  Follow her at readyGOgetset.com.