The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional: 365 Inspiring Ideas to Reveal, Give, and Find God’s Love

by Kristin Demery, Kendra Roehl, Julie Fisk

What would happen if you and your family committed to doing one act of kindness each day for a year?
Our world desperately needs more kindness. Whether it’s on social media, in the news, or between your arguing kids it can seem like conflict and disconnection are everywhere. But imagine how much better life would be if we got intentional about being kind!

This year, embark on a journey to make kindness a part of your life, home, and soul. In The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional, you’ll find Scripture passages and inspirational personal stories about why God calls us to show kindness, what it means to live a life of generosity, and how you can incorporate kindness into your everyday routine (and teach it to your kids) with tons of simple, easy-to-do ideas.

Show your world the kind of love that is possible with daily acts of kindness that will change your heart, inspire your family, and draw you closer to God.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Self Help, Christian Living, Devotional, Religion, Spirituality

770 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2017

About the author

A career in journalism set Kristin Demery up to one day publish her own stories of living this wild, precious life. She is now an author of numerous books—including her newest, One Good Word a Day (Tyndale, 2021)—and part of a trio of writers collectively known as The Ruth Experience. Kristin served as a newspaper and magazine editor, and her work has been featured in a variety of publications, including USA Today. She still works behind the scenes as an editor for others while writing her own series on kindness, friendship, and living with intention. An adventurer at heart, she loves checking items off the family bucket list with her husband and three daughters.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the best time for this book. 2020 has been one heck of a year, I think that we can all get behind that thought and while yes, kindness is needed, I think this book falls short of its goal. This book just did not resonate with me and I forced myself to keep picking it up, just to finish it. I got up to June or July I think and then the book just sat gathering dust and I would kind of let my eyes slide over it when looking for something to read. Not a good sign.

I wouldn't say it is a bad book, it just didn't work for me. I won't go out of my way to recommend it, but if we have a customer at the store looking for a daily devotional on kindness, I won't not tell them about this book, but I will be honest if asked what I thought of it.

This is just my two cents, take it for what it's worth. 1, I was expecting something different I guess, stars.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent ideas.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love the Random Acts of Kindness that first appeared in the movie Bruce Almighty, and even inspired me to spend my 49th birthday finding 49 different ways to do things for someone else instead of buying me more stuff I really don't need. And you know what, it is the only birthday I can remember over any of the other ones. I can even remember the things I did to make someone else's day instead of my own and the feeling was so amazing.

Now Tyndale House Publishers has appealed to me once again with The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional. In it readers will find themselves challenged not only by the daily Scripture reference from the Bible, but an applicable story that shows just how you can both apply the Scripture but also make someone else's day through random acts of kindness. At the conclusions of each days devotional, readers are challenged in some way to take that idea and make it their own, like Do something unexpectedly kind for a teacher, encourage someone else with your story of God's faithfulness, honor someone in your life by picking up the slack in their busy season, invite someone new to Thanksgiving this year and so many more.

Divided into daily devotionals, readers will love the ease and simplicity of being reminded it is about serving others through the daily acts we can perform to show them the love of Christ working within us. It keeps these reminders at the forefront and helps us to keep our hearts in the attitude of serving rather than being served. Each of the three authors, Kendra Roehl, Kristin Demery and Julie Fisk each take their turns at writing each daily devotional so in a sense they are sharing their own testimony and life with you as you work your way through each of the 365 days. The best part is that you don't have to wait to begin in January 1st, you can just pick up like I did right when I received my book.

I received The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional by Julie Fisk, Kendra Roehl and Kristin Demery compliments of Tyndale House Publishers. This is such a great book that I can speak more highly about, but that if you are looking at a way of making your daily life count more, looking for ways to serve others, and even ideas on incorporating daily acts of kindness into your day, than this book is perfect for you. I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars because as a busy mom, wife and more, I need something to keep my heart in the right place and this works for me.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every day that I watch the news on television or read through my social media newsfeed, I think how much we need more kindness in our world. The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional is a 365 day devotional with ideas to make the world a kinder place.


The Three authors of this devotional, Julie Fisk, Kendra Roehl, and Kristin Demery, came up with an idea to do an act of kindness during the Christmas season when they felt their children needed to be less self-centered and more other-centered. After their short December experiment, the ladies decided to expand their idea to a whole year. After a year, "we found that our own lives and our thoughts toward others had changed" as a result of their daily acts of kindness.



Each of the readings in The One Year Acts of Kindness Devotional starts with a Bible verse, then a short reading about an act of kindness from one of the three authors, and then ends with an idea of how you or your family could apply the devotion to do a local act of kindness.



My husband and I really like the idea of doing a daily act of kindness. I could not wait to get The One Year Acts of Kindness Devotional to give us inspiration. Even though it is for one year and is dated January 1 through December 31, readers can begin and end on any date that works for them. We decided to go ahead and start. We are reading this devotional with our evening meal and figuring out our own ways to do acts of kindness every day. Some of their examples for kindness include: reaching out to those who are grieving, considering how you could help or support someone who is ill, choosing someone to surprise with a small fun gift to brighten their day, or giving someone the gift of time. Most of the ideas are fairly broad and allow you to tailor them to the needs that you see around you. They are really just a springboard to using your imagination, which I think is great. Along with using this devotional on your own, this book would be such a nice gift for families at Christmas or the start of the year, maybe even as one of your acts of kindness. I have to add that I also like the cover picture with the visual reminder to let your light shine (Matthew 5:15-16).


I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Momentum Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Daily Acts of Kindness" is the perfect devotional for the world that we are living in. It seems you can't turn on t.v. or even scroll on Facebook without seeing some kind of tragedy in our world. The world continues to feed off negativity and it seems that kindness makes the news when it is only one small act. Our world should be so full of kindness that people see it everywhere! I love that this devotional has 365 days of kindness which if put into practice can have a ripple effect on helping to change the world.

Each of the devotional readings in "The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional" start with a Bible verse and then a short devotional about kindness from the author, which then ends with an application section. It allows the reader to be able to apply the devotion to their life and do some act of kindness. This is something I really love because I believe the world would be much better if we could do more kind things and speaker kinder to others even when we don't think or believe the same way. I see this devotional as more of a challenge to try to get through and do every day of the week for 365 days a week. I give this book 5/5 stars. Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy for review. A favorable review was not required.

[Justicereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like there is nothing better than a daily devotional. Something to keeps us on our toes and aware of how we are portraying ourselves and how we affect other around us.

Julie Fisk, Kendra Roehl, and Kristin Demery really know the acts of kindness that can make a difference in someones day. The acts of kindness that was suggested for Christmas time was my absolute favorite and I even shared the experience with my 10 year old. What a different type of conversation my son and I had and I am so grateful for it.

This devotional is wonderful and it taught me more bible verses and again, I was able to share with my family. When a single devotional has such an impact on one family, it tells you that the impact that it could have on the world is immense.

[Sarah Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of this book I really enjoyed and parts of this book that just didn't resonate with me. Some really great takeaways thought (I'd really love to do the coffee shop, grocery and gas station gift cards to keep with you to give to someone who looks like they need it). But some of the stories and some of the suggestions are just not feasible in small town Nebraska compared to a bigger city like Minneapolis.

Definitely somethings that I will try to focus on all year instead of just at the holidays and some great reminders. I think I just need to continue to pick the book up at least once a week and read through a week's worth of readings to try to mindfully do at least one thing a week that really makes a difference.

[Tracy McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this devotional. Everyone loves to be the giver and receiver of an act of kindness. It has become a very trendy thing to do lately. I love that this devotional ties in scripture and gives practical examples of things we can do to share the love of Jesus with those around us. Each daily lesson is short and simple leaving plenty of time to put our faith into action. This is a great devotional for the entire family. What better way to help our children to understand the word than to actually put action to the word. I love it!!!! 💗

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I felt like this was a great devotional. Taking them one day at a time made it so easy. It was very geared towards women with husbands and children. Some of the acts of kindness were so geared towards doing them with your children that it was a little off-putting. There were also some times when, as an introvert, I am simply not ready to take that step. I might read the book again when there isn't a global pandemic putting a cramp in inviting strangers into our homes or making treats for our neighbors.

[Sharon Heck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this devotional as a goodreads giveaway, thank you. I enjoyed the first few months of this devotional. I enjoyed getting to know the families and their approach to kindness. I was able to be reminded of some classic kindness tasks and picked up a few other suggestions. However unlike the authors, I don't have children and I don't live in a neighborhood. So, midway during the year I became disappointed in the lack of variety in kindness suggestions.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is an Advent specific section after the year, which threw me since Advent is before the end of the year and I was working my way through it day by day. It maybe should have been placed between November and December, to make it easier to find before the end of the year.

Other than that, it was a very nice devotional and helped me remember to be kind this year (and in 2020 we really needed to be extra kind.)

[Samantha McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this daily devotional. I'm surprised that every day I read the daily devotion, there's always some aspect of the topic that speaks to me, if not the whole thing. It's practical & thought-provoking, a great focus reset when life distracts you from what's really important. I love the acts suggested each day.

[BrandiandJarred Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great book filled with stories & examples of real people who chose to step out their comfort zones to help others, put others above themselves, or simply made the effort to show love through a simple act.
What a great daily reminder not only to be available & willing to be His hands & feet, but to seek opportunities to spread love & be Light!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing and inspirational book. I loved that there is a short story to go with each day, especially the Daily Act of Friendship. The daily act is a great way to keep you engaged and purposeful about the friendships, new and old, in your life.

[Tera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Each page is a verse, a thought, and an action. One reminder to be kind each day. The world could use more of that.

[Victoria L Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional is an easy read with practical ways to be kind to others. A necessary read for our society with all of the hate around us.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so good, containing both practical advice and ideas to think about.

[Kelly Hobgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring, motivating.

[Alcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realmente nos muestra un camino de amor.

Muy bueno. Nos presenta cientos de maneras de llevar amor, muchas de ellas nuevas para mi. Nos invita a la acción.

[Val Plagge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one year devotional. It was a quick daily read that included a bible verse, message and an idea of practical application.

[Joni Cannon]

This was an absolutely wonderful devotional. I will probably reread it in a few years

[Kimberly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I loved the ideas on how to bless our community from this book! We kept it in the car and they took turns reading the daily page each morning.

[Krisi Kranz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all their books!!!

[Nancy Holte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think this book could be released at a better time. Our world could use a little more kindness! The stories in this book are engaging and the suggested acts of kindness are simple and reproducible. If I could, I'd buy one for every person I know and more! Amazing book!

[Carolina Hinojosa-Cisneros · Rating 4 out of 5]

The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional: 365 Inspiring Ideas to Reveal, Give, and Find God's Love was published by Tyndale House. It was written by Julie Fisk, Kendra Roehl, and Kristin Demery. Together they challenge their readers to join them in walking out a life of faith which hinges upon kindness.

In this book Julie, Kendra, and Kristin offer 365 practical ways to spread kindness and the love of Jesus into all areas of our lives by providing a daily devotional. At the end of each devotional there is a call to action which allows readers to dig deeper and spread father. These call to action are called, "Today's Act of Kindness."

According to the book today's devotional is about comforting the sick. November 21st provides a scripture from Ezekiel before it illuminates a personal story of caring for the sick which we can do through our local hospitals or cancer centers. My full-time job is in a local cancer center.

This particular devotional is so important to how we walk in kindness and how easy it is to put together a basket for a patient and walk into the hospital or clinic and extend a small token of care. Sometimes all people need to know is that someone cares.

"We can partner with God in his promise to strengthen the weak by showing his kindness and encouraging others as they walk through seasons of sickness" (p. 340).

The Novembers 21st act of kindness is to "put together a gift for someone you know who is ill, or bring a gift to your local hospital for someone who may be in need of encouragement." Simply tell the receptionist that the gift is from "someone who cares."

What a significant way to make a difference in the lives of others. This book is a perfect gift for family and friends. It's also a great challenge for a single person and or a family to carry out what it is to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

I encourage you to pick up this book and gift it this Christmas.

[Merci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not quite done yet but I love this book. The authors are all so authentic, inspiring and challenging each day with ways to be nicer, kinder and a better Christian.