Pass It On → Kindness

MAKING THE JOURNEY EASIER FOR ALL OF US

Pass It On! is an invitation to pass on the love and kindness of God – making the journey easier for one another. Write hope-filled #PenToPaper notes. Share encouraging books, blogs and websites. Knit prayer shawls. Introduce Chronic Joy to others.

PASS IT ON • AN INVITATION

We are all created to pass on the love and kindness of God. Our individual experiences as well as our being equipped with talents, skills, passions, time, and treasure enable us to pass on God’s love and kindness uniquely, making the journey easier for all of us. We have both gifts to share and (when we are willing) gifts to receive. Pass It On is simply an invitation to both give and receive.

KINDNESS → PASS IT ON

A gift of kindness is something that feels rare in these busy days of rushing. Add in a chronic illness or two, and sometimes kindness feels like a lost art reserved for a previous life. Is it possible to revive moments of kindness in our days?

“In this troubled world, it’s refreshing to find someone who still has the time to be kind.” (Helen Steiner Rice)

What if we, who have been slowed down by illnesses, have been given a special opportunity to be able to share kindness with others? A smile gifted at the medical clinic when others are facing difficult burdens might change the atmosphere around you. A handwritten note sent from the midst of your heaviness might lift the burden of one who has previously felt so troubled and alone. Might our own load be lightened if we took time to learn a new craft to share with one less able?

When we pass on the gift of kindness, the joy is multiplied for both the giver and the receiver because God’s Spirit stirs within us his fruit of joy – chronic joy – amid chronic illness. The gift doesn’t have to be large to be impactful. For whatever we have done for the least of these (as we have done it as unto our Lord), HE blesses the gift with a large love straight from his heart through you to your friend – and he will Pass It On to your heart as well.

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

HOW TO → PASS IT ON

Sometimes all we need is an idea or a starting point to remind us that we can pass on kindness. Keep scrolling to check out the creative ways to step in. We welcome your suggestions, too, so pass them on to us using the form below. We are walking this journey together, and every time we pass on kindness, it multiplies.

24 CREATIVE WAYS TO PASS IT ON

1. INTENTIONAL KINDNESS...

...is love in action. Pass It On today by:

• speaking an encouraging word
• offering forgiveness to someone who hurt or wronged you
• writing a review for your favorite restaurant, small group, or non-profit
• purchasing our Service in a Box - Touch of Kindness to spread kindness far and wide

2. GENEROSITY...

...is a vibrant expression of Jesus living in and loving through us. Be generous with your:

• time
• resources
• unique skills, hobbies, or gifts

3. YOUR VOICE

Did you know that from the comfort of your own home, you can record audio tracks for Chronic Joy posts or page content?

4. #CONNECTBYTEXT

Never underestimate the power of a simple text. In just minutes, you can give the gift of encouragement. Remind someone today that they are cared about, prayed for, and dearly loved.

5. PRAYER

The Prayer Pond is our safe harbor and a precious invitation from God. Today, we warmly invite you to spend a few minutes at the Prayer Pond where you can request prayer and also #PrayItForward for another. Our beautiful Make Your Life a Prayer flat cards make it easy to send prayer notes to friends and loved ones.

6. WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Brighten someone’s day with a free Chronic Joy Printable (There are more than 100 to choose from!). Grab the link or download, print, and mail a Printable to a friend or loved one.

7. A HEART OF COMPASSION

The word compassion literally means to suffer with or to suffer together. Chronic illness, mental illness, chronic pain, and disability can leave us feeling isolated and alone, but compassion begins In the Midst of Grief. Spend some time with the wonderful resources on this webpage and then check out our free printable: Verses to Comfort & Encourage.

8. PRAYER SHAWLS

Do you knit or crochet? Prayer shawls are blessings of community, kindness, comfort, and compassion, stitched with prayer and gifted to those who are struggling with illness, pain, anxiety, depression, loneliness, loss, or grief, as well as those who are hospitalized, recovering from surgery, or facing prolonged treatments. We offer free downloadable patterns for prayer shawls and face cloths.

9. COMMUNITY

Community is where we learn to “love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). What does that look like in everyday life? Start with Radical Community then download our 33 Biblical “One Anothers.”

10. WHAT'S IN YOUR POCKET?

When we each give what we have (willing hands, a skill, our hobby, knowledge, our voice, our time, prayer, or financial resources), we are bolder, braver, and stronger together – and together, God multiplies the impact one precious life at a time. How will you give today?

11. FORGIVENESS

“Forgiveness,” writes Pastor Laurie Brenner, “is an essential ingredient for joy.” Not sure how to strengthen your forgiveness muscle? Our Ministry of Reconciliation printable is a great first step! If there are difficult relationships for which you are struggling to find words, our free printable provides an easy step in.

12. ACCOUNTABILITY

Becoming an accountability partner is a powerful Kingdom-building and community-cultivating gift. Step beyond the familiar framework with #StepRepPray and Megan Willome’s post, Workout Buddy and Prayer Partner.

13. ASK GENEROUS QUESTIONS

Asking generous questions takes courage, curiosity, and gentle tenderness, but it also connects us in transformational ways. Need a little inspiration? We’ve got several free printables:  Questions of Jesus, 76 Questions for Couples, and Ask Generous Questions.

14. OFFER A SMILE

“Small actions of love are the very definition of humbly serving one another,” writes Pamela Piquette in Love in Action. There’s no better place to begin!

15. DONATE A BOOK

Do you know someone who would be blessed by Discovering Hope, the first book of Chronic Joy Publishing? Through Gift of Hope, they can receive it as our gift, completely free of charge.

16. WRITE A REVIEW

Write a review for your favorite restaurant, coffee shop, small business, Etsy shop, book, blog, podcast, radio show, or non-profit (like Chronic Joy).

17. SOCIAL MEDIA

Share your favorite Chronic Joy posts and spread a little compassion, hope, and joy on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Pinterest. Know someone who’s in need of a little encouragement? Tag them!

18. SHARE YOUR STORY

If you’ve ever thought about sharing your story, we’d love to help. Story Matters is filled with thoughtful questions and helpful tips to get you started – and if you need a little more inspiration, check out Build An Ebenezer.

19. LEAVE A THANK YOU NOTE

Thank your mail carrier, garbage collectors, health care professionals, or neighbors. Looking for a little gratitude kickstart? Download Discovering Gratitude. Our Appreciation flat cards are an easy way to express your gratitude.

20. INVITE A FRIEND...

...to be your Gratitude Buddy.

Author Kara Tippetts wrote, “Gratitude protects our hearts in the midst of suffering.” Link arms with a friend and text, message, or email each other one thing (or more!) you’re grateful for each day. Need a little inspiration? Start with A Grateful Heart and 10,000 Reasons.

21. VOLUNTEER

Dust off your grace gifts and let us know what you love to do and how you’d like to be involved – one-time or ongoing – from the comfort of your own home. Not sure how to get involved? Connect with Us! Tell us what you love to do, and we’ll brainstorm with you!

22. FRIEND-RAISING

Host an in-person or virtual gathering of friends, neighbors, co-workers, your sports team, or small group, and:

• #StepRepPray – Run, walk, climb, bike, dance, swim, jump rope, or hula hoop in someone’s honor or for someone who can’t – then let them know.
• Write #PenToPaper notes for those who need a little encouragement in your community or for the growing Chronic Joy community.
• Knit or crochet prayer shawls, face cloths, or bookmarks for our Kindness Boxes.
• Help us build Kindness Boxes. Invite participants to donate lotions, chocolates, candles, notepads, pens, and other small items to add to our Kindness Boxes

 23. CELEBRATE...

...our children

Donate:

• $6 – one fun-filled envelope for one precious Little
• $12 – exciting  and engaging activity sheets
• $50 – shareable stickers for our Littles and their friends

24. PASS IT ON

• Do you know of a great book, blog, or podcast? Let us know!
• Do you know the parents or grandparents of a child, tween, or teen diagnosed with chronic illness, mental illness, chronic pain, or disability? Let them know about our #PenToPaper program. (Sign up for You Get Mail! Safe, secure, and free for all participants!)

YOU are our why, the reason we do what we do. We are always #BetterTogether!

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. (Colossians 1:3)

In kindness [God] takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. (Romans 2:4)

PASS IT ON • BOOKS, BLOG & WEBSITES

Is there a great book, a go-to website, or a thought-provoking podcast that encourages you in your walk with chronic illness? Would you love to share that resource to ease another’s journey? Through Chronic Joy’s Pass It On program, you can!

We will review submissions and as accepted, add them to our website. Pass It On opens the door to community, making everyone’s journey a little easier knowing others have gone before us blazing the trail and sharing what’s been learned.

Some simple rules: we bend towards encouraging, inspiring, faith-based educational resources. We love Jesus, and while that doesn’t mean every resource on our website is faith-based, it is a ministry foundation. We don’t accept submissions about specific medical treatments, products or services, or specific medical providers.

Do you have a great resource? Pass It On!

RESOURCES

#PENTOPAPER

GIFT OF HOPE

EVEN MORE

HAS CHRONIC JOY BLESSED YOU? 

Pass It On and share us with your friends, family, and community.

• Email or message a webpage or free printable guide that you find encouraging.

• Forward our latest blog post with a note about why Chronic Joy® is makes a difference in your life.

• How about sending a #PenToPaper note and tucking a FREE printable inside the envelope to introduce us to someone who needs a bit of hope today?

• Visit our Store to purchase Service in a Box and bless others with encouraging snail mail.