Something amazing happened to me on Friday.
I had just pulled into my least-favorite WalMart location – the one with the perpetually crowded parking lot, never enough open checkouts, and slow, inexperienced cashiers. The one that is always out of stock on the essentials that I’m shopping for. The one that overcharged me last time when I wasn’t watching.
As I pulled in, I reminded myself not to complain, but to be grateful that there a WalMart in such a convenient location. While I waited for the 3 girls with me to get out of the van, I noticed a couple watching us. Our eyes met, and the man spoke to me as we passed.
“How is the economy treating you?”
I stopped to answer. I think I said something like, “Not too badly. It’s a bit tight, but we have 9 children. We’ve always had to watch what we spend.”
We spoke just a few seconds longer – I don’t remember what was said – and the man and woman looked at each other and nodded. I heard her say, “I think it’s deserving.”
Then one of them handed me a $50 bill. They explained that they like to do this every now and then. They weren’t rich – in fact, he was currently between jobs – but this was how they exercised charity. I wish I had asked if they were Christians, and what church they attended, and if they also tithed or did this instead. I was too dumbstruck to know what to say. I wondered at the moment if I should have declined since we’re not truly in hard times, but I didn’t. I accepted the gift and thanked them.
And I’m so glad I did, because I knew exactly who needed it. Later that day, I was able to pass it along to someone who needed it far worse than we did – someone we have helped as well, but this was not from us. Now 2 families have experienced kindness from those strangers.
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That’s so nice! My son is in the Air Force ROTC program in college. He stopped off somewhere to put air in his tires and to purchase a cup of coffee there too. He was wearing his uniform and he had people thanking him for all he did. He didn’t have the heart to tell them he wasn’t doing anything yet. When he went to pay for his coffee, someone had already paid for it.
Okay, I went to leave a comment on this post, and I was simply going to type “wow”, when a page came up that said “Your comment was a bit too short. Please go back and try again.”!!!!!!!! That’s a new one for me! Whenever I leave comments on my favorite blogs, I always expect a page to pop up and say, “I’m sorry, your comment was a bit too long, wordy, verbose, and just too many words. Please go back and try again.”
So wow.
Leanne,
That must be a new feature in the spam filter. Instead of blocking your comment, it gave you a second chance.
Blessings are so wonderful for all involved.
That’s an awesome testimony!
What a neat experience and what a wonderful way to pay it forward!
That’s wonderful. I have a story too.
a month or two ago we got a check in the mail that was totally unexpected. we didnt need it. SO we decided to give it away.
A few weeks ago we got the exact same amount back to us. WHAT???? We STILL didnt need it and KNEW we had to give it away again. LOL.
So great to be blessed and to be able to bless others!
What a way to be blessed and then pass it on to others…praise God!
I received a gift card for a grocery store anonymously in the mail once for $200. I only used a small portion and then had it sitting in my wallet. My parents found themselves very short because of car problems and so I passed the remainder on to them. I was so thankful to have been able to pass on the blessing and I never have found out who sent it to us.
How wonderful that you were able to pass the blessing on!
Lots of love,
Sommer
Thanks for sharing this sweet “pay it forward” experience. They are no doubt living a Christ-like life regardless of their religious affiliation. And you as well – of course you could have used it. What a find act of service.
what a wonderful moment!!!
That is so awesome!
An aunt gave me a $50 a while back for one of our daughters birthdays. I was happy to receive it, but didn’t quite have a plan for how to spend it. So, I just carried it around in my purse, until one day…
I was talking to a friend and she told me that her family was really in a tight bind. She wanted to pay her tithes; however, if she did that she would be $50.00 short for her rent. How ironic, right?
I cannot tell you the joy I felt when I was able to reach into my purse and hand her that $50.00! She was overwhelmed and started to cry.
Its such a blessing to be a blessing!:)