Welcome back!
Thanks for continuing to read, "Gift Giving"
...So with that said, I give you this example. A couple of months ago, I was riding the bus in the city to run an errand. As the bus stopped near a hospital to pick up other passengers, a young lady with a baby got on. It seemed from the conversation with the bus driver that she was having, she didn't have all of the needed fair. She also looked very tired. After a few moments, the driver decided to let her take her seat.
As she sat, I couldn't help but look at her and as as I did, I thought about myself as a young mother in my early twenties. Turns out, I also was moved into the world of single parenthood and it felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders right along with carrying that baby. I thought about how much of a relief it was for me when I had a shoulder to lean on, when somebody (anybody) showed me a little kindness during my rough moments as young struggling mother. As I watched her and her baby, I noticed her appearance, and they weren't dressed int eh best clothes but they were clean and neat. The baby seemed content. She wasn't crying. She seemed cared for and at peace. But it was the young mothers face that caught my attention the most. She looked worried and wearied. She reminded me SO MUCH of myself in those days. My heart opened wide for her and if I had a million dollars, at that moment, she would have been a partial heir to what I had.
As the bus continued to move on, I watched very carefully to see what she was to get off, in case she got of before me. I had made up in my mind to do something to be a blessing to her. A blessing is a gift you had nothing to done nothing to earn. It is a gift tat is given freely. At no charge. With that, there is no debt to repay!
I didn't have a million dollars. I had no words of wisdom to give quickly on that crowded bus. I had no insight into that young lady's life to be of any real lasting help. I only that moment! What was I going to do with it. The more I watched that young woman, it cam to me. Eureka, I had it! I gave in emotionally and let my heart open wide. I let prayer began to rise silently within me for her had her child and the situation and people that caused her to look so worried, so worn . I also wanted to give her a tangible blessing, something that she could touch that would be of some use. But how to do that discreetly on a crowded bus so as not to bring unwanted attention to her. But she was sitting in the very front of this crowded bus! "How do I do it?", I thought.
I grew anxious the longer the ride went on, not knowing when she would get off. And then, as I fast approached my stop, I knew exactly how I would handle this. My son was with me and we got up, I pushed my way to the front and as I passed by her, for some reason she focused me which made it easier to do what I knew I had to do. I had money balled up in my had and pushed it gently down into the hand she was holding the baby with, and said in a low discreet tone, "God bless and keep you". She smiled slightly, never opened her hand and off the bus I went.
It all went by so quickly, but "operation success"! My heart was racing so fast! WOW! What a rush! It was so amazing to be of such a blessing. To have a stranger whom you will never see again, take notice of you in such a way! I don't now that that young girl thought, or what it did for her faith, hope, or situation, but for me...it reminded me that I, that we are all her meant to do what I did...what many others did and continue to do. And that is just to simply to care! Care about people! Give and do what you can to be of some positive use and it is best to do so without regard for what you will receive in return. Take heart. Inside of the fact that it is written int eh bible that "The eyes f the Lord are in every place, he watches on thewicked and the good" and "When you give to the poor, you lend unto the Lord."...The Lord will repay".
Inside of those promises, you also create a situation for a profound positive affect to take place in someones life. How amazing it is to bring joy and hope into even a strangers life, perhaps positively affecting their destiny and mindset for ever! See, in the large scope of things, we are all connected whether we know each other personally or not. I told you, I have sometimes given unto my own hurt as I often give as I am compelled to give, even without regard for return. Recently I gave Holiday gifts, one in spite of. It cost me $35.00, more than I should have paid for it on my part-time salary at the moment, but I felt compelled to give this particular gift anyway. It was one such gift I was advised not to give, because it was not thought the recipient of it would appreciate my thoughtfulness. (The adviser didn't' want my feelings to get hurt.) But I gave it anyway and received an unnecessary "token gift" in return. Again, I give out of love, and thoughtfulness with no regard for return. Actually, the fact that I gave it was a test for me! All the same, just as "evil begets evil" so does kindness beget kindness, eventually! And you NEVER KNOW exactly where that kindness will come from! That reminds me of something I said in part 1 of this article and it's time to clarify.
So, onto what had me rushing back to the house tonight to write to you about!
As my son and I seem to find ourselves pretty much just the two of us on most holidays including Christmas, we went about our day with gusto. We didn't' complain about not having alot of places to choose to go to. We didn't complain about not having that loving and joyful big family we so me much desire. Instead we opened our presents to each other and from others. We enjoyed our breakfast. We laughed ALOT! So much so, my son was crying! (YEAH YEAH, GOD IS GREAT! GOD IS GOOD! We laughed so. (smile, smile) PRAISE GOD!
We played some of my sons new games. NO matter how old he gets, we play family games games because it keeps us spending quality time, while providing fun and more moments to laugh, talk and talk some more! We like good games like Jenga, Connect four, "Scene It", Sorry, Mancala, etc.) In any case, we were determined to get out of the house and enjoy the day, we wanted to the movie theater and out to dinner. We were going to go to a few other places, but travel was difficult as we take the bus and the buses were running terrible today.
I was tired form working 6 nights straight and one full day shift, then the cold set in with the ending of the day.
So we just went to pick up dinner, as I have been very busy lately with work and all and opted not to prepare a fancy big dinner again, just for two of us. So we went to a nearby sit down restaurant. We ordered take out, my son started not to feel well. When I went to pay the cashier, with money out in my hand, the cashier told me, (I think he was the manager) "Oh, you're all set" I asked him what did he mean and he said, "your dinner has already been paid for" I asked him how? who? and he told me and my son both. "I was told to say it was a random person. I saw him punch in the numbers and get the receipt. He said "seriously, don't worry about it, your dinner for the both of you is all set. And by the way, you get a desert and a drink if you like." Have a drink while you wait, a coffee to warm up ?" Oh my! My son and I were so grateful explaining to the man that it was much appreciated. I wanted him to know how sad I had started to feel not having this Christmas turn out like my heart desired and how this act of kindness really helped to reinforce my joy! That blessed gift from God. The man came around from the counter, right over to our table and listened to us for that moment. WOW! That man didn't know, that my son and I both are great appreciators of such compassion. That it would leave a mark of lasting appreciation on our lives. Thought the moment may have been short lived for that cashier, it is not for my son and I. We won't forget such kindness on on a such a day as it happened on CHRISTMAS DAY in particular!
Brad, my son was SO impressed that he asked the cashier his name and told him how he would not forget his kindness in both passing the news about our blessed Christmas Dinner"onto us and how he treated us both. With great dignity and compassion. The man was a joy! He was as much delighted to pass on the news to us of our "Christmas Angel" and listen to our brief story of how this act of kindness helped better our Christmas receiving our "Christmas dinner blessing".
Though we have been the recipients of much kindness in our lives, Brad my son, still said that the way that this happened to us , was like the sort of thing you see play out in a movie. As I'm getting laid off from my job in a few days, and have yet to land another one that is appropriate for me, money is short. Though our initial order was less than $20.00, What we ended up with was well over $20.00! We ate well. I didn't have to cook a holiday meal after working so much lately. We didn't concern ourselves whose holiday dinner we didn't get invited to. And now I can do something else with my few dollars. See, GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING! And "He will supply ALL YOUR NEEDS according to HIS riches and glory!" Amen
Dear Reader,
Though Christmas Day is just about over, don't' let you spirit of gift giving be over too! Remember, gift giving is NOT just about giving material things! There are more important things to give and these things you don't have to pay for and the supply is endless.
Understand, somebody will always need "the gift" of a kind word, a hug, a listening ear, a "real" friend, "true"love (the kind that doesn't disappear when you get mad or decide you don't like the person anymore). There will always be someone who needs your skills, talents, gifting, your networking contacts, professional services, knowledge and wisdom. Yes! There will also always be someone who needs even material things in their time of need, including a decent paying jog, a home of their own, and a vehicle to make their lives easier. Don't wait another 365 days to get involved in gift giving.
Though it's late, 11:48 pm actually,
I STILL HAVE TIME TO TELL YOU ALL,
Merry Christmas!
And never think your giving no matter how "random" ,
is wasted! God Bless!
Meetta
