There seems to be an epidemic in our city. Almost every day it seems that someone gets a free cup of coffee at the drive thru coffee places. It is the thing to do around here. You simply pay for the person in the car behind you. My husband and I were discussing this practice just this week and both agreed that it is a bit of a ridiculous habit. We felt that this type of thing is more meaningful if you know the person who buys the coffee for you. They care about you. They know you.
Tonight I reluctantly left the comfort of my warm home to travel down the highway to Costco to get some things I can only find there. I had two very impatient drivers behind me and another impatient driver as I left and drove to Safeway for the rest of my groceries. By the time I arrived I was in a bit of "a mood"! I hadn't had time to open my door when a car zoomed in RIGHT beside me, WAY too close for me to open my door! I couldn't believe my eyes! I was just considering whether I should back up and go park somewhere else when out of the corner of my eye I saw an outstretched arm. I looked to see him waving a $5.00 bill at me. Assuming he needed change I opened my window to hear him say "We would like to give this to you". My reply was "No, if you want to give money away, why don't you give it to someone who really needs it?" He was very insistent though so finally I said "OK, you've got to be on one of those Youth Group events so I'll take it so you can take the picture". I took it and then said "Now please take it back and give it to someone who needs it". He would not take it and said to me "No, we want to bless YOU with it! God bless you!" Realizing he was not going to take the money back I replied "God bless you too! I know Him as well" and I heard all five in the car exclaim "AAAAAWWWWW", grinning from ear to ear as they raced away!
As I shopped groceries I realized what a warm fuzzy feeling that "blessing" gave me. How it changed my mood and even how I looked at other shoppers and store staff to see if anyone needed encouragement.
I'm going to go find me some stranger to bless before this week is over! I have a $5.00 bill burning a hole in my pocket! However, I will not crowd them in the parking lot at Safeway!
5 comments:
Awwwww, that's so cute! It's amazing how those little random acts of kindness can just lift our spirits and make our day. Have fun finding someone to pay it forward to!
That is so nice. I don't care if I know the person or not. When someone does something nice for me, it makes me feel good! I'm looking forward to hearing how you give someone $5! Will you have to chase them down or will they take it willingly? We'll see, but either way, it will be an adventure!
I see this "random act" as not so random! It has a clear message that EVERYTHING is noticed by Him - not just what we think will be displeasing! Your patience with the impatient people around you is appreciated and this $5.00 is not a reward but a reminder to keep an even keel in this noticeable trait. It speaks LOUDLY to our current society! Have fun walking today! Renita
Cool story, make sure you let us know who gets your $5 (and how hard you have to work to get them to accept it)!
That's a great story! I haven't had anyone give me money but twice this week nice unexpected things happened to me too. One guy ran after me half a block to give me the $20 bill I had dropped while coming out of a building, wrestling around in my purse for my keys. I guess the money dropped out of my purse without me noticing. He could have kept it but he ran after me, he said he was yelling "excuse me" for half a block! ha! I almost felt like I should give it back to him for his effort!
And someone (a stranger) bought me a cup of coffee too. It is a really strange feeling. Living in Toronto you want to say, "Some homeless person out on the cold street needs this more than I do". But it sure boosted my spirits. I have to remember to 'pass it along' and not always be so wrapped up in my own doings and busy day.
Thanks for a great story and a great reminder!
P.S. Steven's Mom does the coffee buying thing once every week! What a lady! Gotta love her!
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