I took all five kids to the grocery store for a quick run to get a few needed items. Since I didn’t have a huge list of things to get I was more relaxed. We looked around slowly, drooling over some of the fresh baked goods in the bakery section. Then we stopped and looked at all the different kinds of cheese. The kids were asking me for some of their favorites when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and faced an elderly gentleman. He pressed some money into my hand and said, “This is to help feed all those children.”
I was overcome with the sweet gesture of this kind man. In that split second so much went through my mind. I didn’t want to take the man’s money. What if he needed it more than I did? “Oh you don’t need to do that,” I protested.
He pressed the money more firmly in my hand and said, “Bless you!” And then I knew I must accept this gift. It was a blessing for him to be able to give and even more than I needed help with the groceries, I needed that encouragement that morning. I thanked the man, and he walked away smiling. I was indeed blessed!
That’s really sweet. Sometimes we need to be gracious receivers because the giver needs to give. It’s a blessing to be able to give, too.
A good friend of mine always used to tell me that I didn’t have the right to refuse someone’s else’s gift / blessing … Exactly because of the joy it gives the person who is giving. And it taught me all the more to be a blessing to others in whatever way I could. Too true, right?
Wow…. love to hear how God uses others to bless!! So many times we miss the opportunity to bless someone else. And its even harder to be on the receiving end of that blessing….
What an opportunity to teach your children the lesson of a blessing – giving & receiving. The last time we received a blessing, we talked about ways that we could pay it forward. We had received a thank you card, and the words were of great encouragement. To some it may have just been a card, but this person had taken the time to write in the card great words of appreciation to our family and the time to mail it to us. We then decided who we needed to encourage as well. A young college student from our church is struggling being away from home and we decided that we would send her something at least once a week. She was my 7 yr olds swim instructor, he wrote a sweet note and drew a picture of her. She was so excited when she received it that she took a picture of it and posted it on Facebook!! She then sent him a card, which he absolutely LOVED getting mail!! We never know what it means to take 5 min to drop someone something in snail mail!!
I love this story. I have a feeling that the man really enjoyed watching the kids ooh and aah over the cheeses; probably brought back some memories of when he was raising his kids and wanted to buy each child its’ favorite cheese but, watching a budget, couldn’t back then.
It’s fun as we get older to facilitate for youngsters the things that we couldn’t afford in younger years for our own selves.
I am glad you graciously accepted his money. I’ll bet it made him feel happy all day.
It is a blessing to give and to receive. This is a wonderful story. I’m sure it’s a valuable lesson for the kids too.
I will pay for the person in back of me when getting a slush @ Sonic or a Sprite at the Drive-Thru somewhere (I only go to a DT for a drink once a month, if that). However, that started only when my other “plan” stopped. I used to go through a toll booth 1-2 times a month. Each time I would hand the toll guy $5 or $10 and say use it for all the cars that come through until you run out and just tell them to “Pay it Forward!” Now I go the other route since $5 would barely cover my car w/out an electronic toll pass in my state. Also, I have been behind a person in the store who was short a few $$ and instead of watching them decide what they don’t need; knowing they did need it, I would pay the difference. Don’t get me wrong if they had a bunch of booze or cigerettes I wouldn’t make the offer (sorry)! I definitely don’t have anything extra being on disability myself especially at my age (42-45). But, it just feels right. Did you do something special at the store w/the extra money, Esther?
What an incredible act of kindness!! So thankful HE worked through this man to bless you, sweet friend!!
I once had a sweet older lady make me take a box of cookies and the $ to pay for it because she said my children were just so precious and reminded her of her grandkids that lived far away. The entire time that box of cookies was in our pantry I thought of her kindness! 🙂
I did let them buy the cheese that they were wanting, and I probably wouldn’t have otherwise! 😉
what a wonderful story and so good to hear that there is kindness left in this world
Random acts of kindness, no matter the amount or how little it maybe, it’s the thought that counts. Bless his heart, I am sure that gesture lit up your heart knowing a stranger is kind enough to offer you a lending hand. Many times when driving I would pay the toll of the person that’s behind me. For the most part they would pull up next to me with such a great smile on their face and thanking me for the random act of kindness.
That was a sweet story you shared with us. There are still some nice folks left in this world.
He could have been an angel! They come in all forms! 🙂 Good for you to accept the gift!
Thanks for sharing such an uplifting story!
Truly an angel on Earth. Sounds like he knew what it took to feed a big family.
Hi Esther, I definitely believe in angels! When my Mother-In-Law had her flower shop and she was having tremendous hardships with finances, a man walked in and gave her $500!! LOL My MIL was brought to tears. It was Christmas time. 🙂