It’s been a long week. Then, with the weather reports for more snow this week-end, it started out to be a tough day today. It was necessary to go out and blow the snow in our driveway at our new place; and then get ready to head back to the other house to do the snow removal there. We were scheduled for have two showings this afternoon and as you already know, the old house is up for sale.
Janet and I like to head over there every couple of days to make sure that everything is fresh and clean. Pat, our friend, also keeps an eye on the house for us – and it just so happened that Janet and I had several errands to run before we prepared the house for the showings.
Anyway, as we approached the old place,we decided to stop at a Starbuck’s down the street and pick up coffees for when we were done. We patiently waited in line and when we pulled up to the window, we were advised that our entire order had been paid for by the woman in the car ahead of us. Now, I have heard about this type of thing before, but I can’t ever remember being involved as a recipient of this kind of outreach. In fact, Janet and I couldn’t help but smile – it kind of made our day.
We did the only thing we could think of – we took care of the bill for the person behind us as we decided to pay the kindness forward. It felt good to receive and even better to give. Then we were off to finish our chores. But both Janet and I have remarked several times today about how kind the gesture was of the person in line ahead of us. Stuff like that just doesn’t happen to us – but this time it did!
The verse for this evening highlights the fact that Jesus loves it when we are cheerful givers. Of course, we all like to receive things, but we are truly blessed when we go above and beyond – giving to others. We are told by the apostle Paul, in Acts 20:35, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” My encouragement this evening is that God wants us to remember others and do our part to give in surprising, unexpected ways when it is least expected. My prayer is that you will listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and answer the leadings that will undoubtedly come your way as a result of your commitment as a follower of Jesus Christ – and I’m sure that you will make somebody’s day – just like what happened to us today. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…