Friday, August 28, 2009

Pay it forward

Monday we signed some “important” papers on Courtney moving her out of the foster phase and into the last 60 days adoption processing phase. Very exciting! While in Wichita signing papers, we had to negotiate the parking system downtown and found a parking spot with a parking meter. We loaded up our maximum 2 hours time and I noticed the handicap person beside us had their time expired – so I threw in a coin giving them a little more than an hour of additional parking. Also, our meeting didn’t take the 2 hours so someone who grabbed our spot quickly after us got a bonus too.

Steve and I took a few moments to have a luncheon date at a fun restaurant to celebrate. When exiting the restaurant with my leftovers (I had visions of a great lunch at work the next day) a homeless man asked for them – without hesitating – we handed them over to him. He was grateful and thanked us.

Living in small town Kansas – we don’t experience these things on a daily basis. Going to the “big city” (while it is NO New York) is always fun to eat someplace different and shop at places we don’t have locally. It is harder to find ways to do those simple acts of kindness – reminded me that just saying “thank you” on a more regular basis to those around me and finding ways to smile or be friendly to people in my “busy life” path can make a difference too.

I’m not writing about this to “toot” my own horn – but just to share that I received a reminder that sometimes, those simple acts of “paying it forward” can make a difference in lives around us. Jesus paid it forward for all of us! So….go and pay it forward… with kindness.  I need this reminder - this has been a tough week...another post at another time on that!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossions 3:12

4 comments:

Dee said...

Your homeless man was smart. I would never have thought to wait by a resturant for peoples left overs. My heart goes out to these people and in our present financial cris's we will experience this very situation many times. A fiend of mine on facebook, just gave his umbrella on a cold rainy day to a homeless elderly lady. Sooo sad.

Glenda, saved by grace said...

Paying it forward always makes us feel so good. Its like we are the ones who really get the blessing!
Thanks for sharing

Ben said...

What an inspiration - thank you for sharing this. It's something all of us - especially in the big cities like NY - should learn from.

Ben
http://ben-better-left-unsaid.blogspot.com/

Dontmissyoursunsetlady said...

Thanks for the remider and the encouragement on my blog! Hope things improve for you

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