My mind is so full tonight, and has been most of the day. My husband called me early this afternoon to tell me that a lady in our church's dad had an accident and was killed early this morning. When he told me who it was, my heart slowed it's beating in my chest, and my mind took me back to a busy day about a month ago.
A little over a month ago, I was getting things ready to go out of town to see my mom and some friends in Texas. I had been busy packing and getting bills paid and things ready for the trip, so I just decided to swing through the drive-thru at McDonalds and grab Landon and I some lunch.
As I payed for our food, something just impressed me to pay for the gentleman's order behind me. For a moment I wondered where that thought came from since I could see him in my rear view mirror and clearly didn't know him. I was about to pull forward, when I felt it again...so I asked the cashier at the window if I could please pay for the gentleman's order behind me. She looked at me a bit funny and asked me if it was my dad...then she really looked at me funny when I told her it wasn't, and that I didn't have a clue who he was, that I just wanted to be kind to someone today.
After I payed for both orders I had to pull up and wait on part of our order. The man pulled up to where I was waiting and motioned for me to roll down my window. He asked me why I had payed for his order. I explained to him that I just felt like being nice to someone, and told him I hoped he had a wonderful day. He asked if I knew him, and I told him no. I then told him that he probably knew my father-n-law who has pastored one of the churches in town for over 32 years. When I told him my father-n-laws name he smiled and said, "My daughter goes to your church. I know who you are. You're Anthony's wife."
His next words will forever ring in my ears. He said, "Ma'am, you don't know what this done for me today. Thank you. You just made my day."
See, I didn't know the story or the history of how he had been hurt and had previous unpleasant dealings with church people. I didn't know that I was putting something positive where there had only been negative before. I wasn't aware of all the stories of how he had given to every single person he could and helped out so many people in his life. The wonderful stories I have heard about how he was so kind and helpful to everyone he met makes me wish I had done more than just pay for a little meal. It makes me wish I had gone an extra mile and filled his truck up with gas too. I assure you, if I had known how short his time left here was, I'd have made it a point to do much more for him.
I can't help but think about how we never know the real impact of the simple things we do for others. I say simple because the meal that day was only $5.86, such a small price for a memory. Oh, my prayer today is that I always be listening for that small voice, that nudge, to do something so simple for another because we just don't know where that individual is walking or for how long they are walking among us!
3 comments:
LOVE this post. Random acts of kindness really do make a difference in people's lives.
Yes, they do Parsley...and I didn't realize just how much of a difference they made until now. I try to do them randomly but I assure you I will do them more often after this.
I ran across your blog today through Parsley's. I love this post. We never do realize how short of time we have. I was meant to find this post today I know.This morning I have been upset with my husband for something he both did and didn't do.I realize sitting here that today marks the 11th year of my father-in-law's passing.It gives me chills. How could I be so selfish to be upset with my husband over something (which in the light of this I realize now is so trivial) when he must be thinking about missing his dad today.All I can say is THANK YOU for this post! I'm very humbled.
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