Friday, November 5, 2010

A Challenge

I want to put a challenge out there for all my blogging friends.
I am challenging you to *pay it forward* with some type
of meaningful gesture during the upcoming holiday season.
You may not see someone holding
a sign like above, but that does not mean there aren't many
people in need all around us.

I don't know if you all remember our story from a couple years
ago where we were in a drive through and the person in the
car ahead of us paid for our meal. I am telling you it
blessed our socks off and it made me vow to keep this in
mind and return the favor. If I remember right our bill was only
$4 or so, but it isn't the amount that matters.

I was able to keep that vow several months later also at
a drive through.
When I heard that *still small voice* urging me on,
I was trying to rationalize in my head, "but what if I
don't have enough cash" and on and on and I finally
realized I was to do this and I had better get on with it.
Can you believe after paying for mine and the car behind me
I had a little over $1.00 left??
God knew all along that I had enough cash with me
and I am so thankful that I listened to His voice.

No better time than the present with our bad economy
and so many out of work to do a small part to bless
someone else. You will make their day...month...year,
and you will receive a blessing too.

If any of you choose to do this I would love to hear the
stories! May God bless each and every one of you!!

{photo above found online}

P.S.This is what reminded me again today...my daughter-in-laws blog post yesterday. It really is worth the read I promise!!

This past Tuesday the kids and I were at the library for story time. Kanaan usually sleeps right thru it, but Keira really enjoys singing the songs and listening to the stories. Well, story time was over and we were heading back up to the front to check out our new books. I knew that our last books/CD's were overdue (by like a week, ugh) and we would have a fine. I just didn't know how much. I get up there, and the lady says, "ma'am you owe $2.25." And it needs to be under $1.00 in order for me to check anything out. I didn't have that much, but I did have $1.25 in change!! So I dished out what I could. But technically speaking it still wasn't under a dollar. So I was beginning to prepare myself to calmly and rationally explain to Keira that we weren't going to be able to get library books this week - no big deal. That's when the lady beside me in line threw out a dollar onto the counter and said "here, use this." I looked at her and said that it was no big deal, thank you anyway. I appreciated the gesture, but no thanks. She persisted and simply said "Pay it forward." And at first I kind of just gave here a questioning look, but she said it again and I asked 'are you sure?' She simply nodded. I just looked at her straight in the eye and said thank you. I must have proceeded to say thank you like 20 times after that, but I just felt an overwhelming urge to hug her. I think I just patted her arm instead, but tears even welled up in my eyes and everything. You just don't see generosity like that anymore. For a complete stranger. God is everywhere and I saw him this week. :)

7 comments:

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

I'll definitely do this again.

So happy you're posting about this again, Sandi. It turns the whole day around when you're giving back, even when you're having the grandest of days... makes it even better. I don't have to tell YOU.

Great post!
xoxo~Tracie

Unknown said...

always a wonderful idea to "pay it forward!" will remember you as i do so this holiday season!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Very good reminder to all of us, especially at this time of the year!

Vicki Boster said...

A wonderful post my friend - the setiment is perfect for the holidays ( and all through the year - we should all strive to be more giving!

vicki

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

What a great experience you had and it's wonderful that you payed it forward, Sandi! I will remember doing something like that.
xoxo,
Julia

Elyse said...

hi sandi,

i remember your drive-thru story and i was just moved by your daughter's story.

when i drive to providence (a small city about :20 away), i see so many people holding signs, and they're young, "clean-shaven" people. it's very scary and upsetting and i've been thinking - what's the best way to help someone like that - in the small way i can (we're dealing with some financial issues around here ourselves so i am especially empathetic). sometimes i think, gift cards for food?

sorry to ramble. touching post.

xo
elyse

Unknown said...

I have been blessed by witnessing and hearing about people out there that practice the gift of giving in a constant basis. There are no special occasions, no thank you notes and most times they do it in an anonymous way. I heard a millionaire brag about buying a house and a car for her best friend. I have a friend that have done that and more,she is not rich, she did it for an almost stranger in need. I found out from the receiving end via her testimony of thankfulness .. She have blessed my life by just been there, taking care of whatever I need (she droved from her house at night to bring me a huge tarp to cover some pieces I have painted that day, knowing that I didn't have one or a place to store them and it was supposed to rain). So, I pray that we will be blessed by sharing all our blessings with someone, today and always. Thank you for sharing, we need to hear about this things, blessings, Marta.