Making Life More Beautiful for Others

While we’re about the business of making life more beautiful, we really need to be keeping others in mind (Philippians 2). There are so many people who are walking around in a dark, dreary and downright gloomy world that, on the bright side, there are myriads of simple things that do make life more beautiful for them. In darkness, even a little light does a lot of good. This list is just the beginning - you can likely come up with more and better ideas - but we wanted to give you enough variety that there might be something to suit your fancy or at least give you pegs on which to hang new ideas as you come up with them. 

1. Sing a song. There’s just something about music, isn’t there? Elderly people - who might have some of the loneliest days of all of us - especially seem to love music. Singing a song (hymn, ballad, WWII favorite, Psalm, or even Italian Aria!) can be a splendid way to cheer them up. We’ve known girls who have brought joy to WWII veterans, grandparents, the sick, and little children by sharing the sweet gift of song.
2. Give someone freshly-baked bread or cookies. Homemade goodies aren’t as common as they once were. Spread some merriment by mixing up something scrumptious - with plenty of love mixed in. Don’t forget the post or UPS man; it’s admittedly rather fun to get a “Wow! Thanks!” from a surprised deliveryman! 
3. Write a note. We can personally vouch for this one. The little notes we receive truly do brighten our day. Whether it’s a “card” decorated with crayon scribbles, a sticky-note in a lunchbox, a thoughtful text or a multi-page letter of exhortation and encouragement from a distant friend, written words touch the heart.
4. Say thank you. Once we had the opportunity to thank a non-Christian lady for helping us with a long project. All we gave her was a small gift and a card and a verbal “thank you”, but her eyes teared up as she told us, “No one’s ever told me thank you before.” That little act of gratitude opened up the opportunity for sharing the Gospel and also taught us the importance of taking the time to say those two petite but powerful words. Can you imagine spending your whole life helping people, albeit in a small way, and never truly being thanked? Finally hearing those words would definitely make your world a bit more beautiful!
5. Give a gift. A flower/plant, painting, book, or crocheted baby blanket...We all know what it’s like to receive a thoughtful trifle. Just the fact that someone took even a moment to think of us is a heartwarming blessing.
6. Clean up. Whether it’s the dishes, taking out the garbage, folding the laundry, washing the dog or vacuuming the car, this is a sure-fire way to beautify life for everyone concerned! 
7. Be cheerful. Alas, this one may be the most difficult of all at times. It sounds so simple but sometimes...it’s simply not. We hope to introduce you soon to a friend of ours who might help you along with this idea....
8. Share a story. Recently, we had lunch at a friend’s home. Her house was quite clean and the food was gourmet, but the best part of the day was the stories of God’s faithful work that she shared with us. It seemed like she had carefully thought through what would encourage and strengthen us and told those very things. Of course, made-up stories of daring deeds and adventures told to an audience of eager faces before bed or the reading (or retelling) of a great book to someone under the weather are equally delightful!
9. Lend a hand. Have you ever known the sheer relief of coming home to a driveway already plowed clear of snow by a caring neighbor? How about the pleasant picture of a young person helping an old lady down the church steps? Or maybe one of the little girls helping a busy mama by taking another little one’s hand? Such simple things, yet what joy they bring to the receivers and givers - not to mention the spectators! 
10. Pray. Our family has definitely been through times and in situations where it positively meant the world to us to know that our friends were lifting us up in prayer. If you know someone who’s going through a hard time, pray for them and tell them so. This may be one of the best blessings of the Christian life. Don’t miss out.

This post wouldn’t be complete without saying that we can’t expect ourselves to somehow make life an English garden for everyone. Many things are God-sized jobs. We simply do the part He has given us with the strength He gives us. Then we have to choose to trust Him (and ask Him!) to “bridge the gap” between what we can do and what needs to happen in whatever situation.

Well, we do hope you are blessed by people doing all of these life-beautifying things for you. Whether or not that’s happening, we’ll be praying that you can create your own ways of making life more beautiful for others...and that life becomes more beautiful for you in the process!