Thursday, October 11, 2007

The Price of Kindness




Today, I was driving from Pasco towards Kennewick. I was still deciding whether or not to go home for food, when God prompted me to get off at Court Street. I received a Holy Spirit inkling to get food at the red roofed building to my right. It happened to be a Carl's Junior. I was wondering how I would pay for my food, so I got out my wallet thinking God might have divinely provided some money. :) I thought maybe I would have enough change to buy something small. I rifled through my change and my only silver pieces were four dimes and one nickel. I left open the possibility that someone might pay for me, or I would just use my debit card.

I walked in the Exxon/Carl's Junior and had an friendly interaction with an older man. He was probably in his mid-50s and looked a bit walled off. I told him to please go before me because I wasn't sure what I was going to order yet. So he did, and as he was paying, he needed a nickel. He started searching for a nickel, and I piped up, "I've got a nickel." He gave the cashier a quarter he had just found, but turned and looked at me and said something like, "That's the nicest thing somebody has done for me in a long time," and the cashier said, "Yes, that was sweet."

I offered a nickel.

When I went out to my car with my food, the man was just leaving and asked if I lived in Pasco. I looked a bit puzzled and he reassured me he was not trying to pick me up... :) I told him no, I didn't. He continued... "Oh, I was going to say, if you lived in Pasco, I would give you a chance." I didn't understand, so I told him that. He further explained, "I'm an electricity guy, I'd give you a chance to pay before I shut your power off."

Wow.

I am still in awe that such a simple act of kindness would illicit such a response. It's amazing!

God's kingdom works that way.

Jesus healed people, inside and out, and they pledged their lives to His cause.

William Wallace freed people, inside and out, and they willingly followed him - even unto death.

Just a word, just a hug, just a nickel.

And people's lives can be changed.

I love the God we serve.

In Him,
- Jess <><

5 comments:

Nadine said...

I think God is awesome too. It's amazing how one simple act of kindness is repaid on a larger scale. Your obedience allowed God to use you to bless this man. That's great.

You're just the sweetest young woman...I love you.

Unknown said...

it really is funny that some people consider kindness a "conspiracy"...

it should be natural; overflowing; beautiful - like you.

Tiffany said...

So good. It's amazing the little things you can do for people that brighten their days.. love it!

a woman who is said...

Yes I love the God we serve, and I really love the God I see in you! You sweet thing you!

Emancipation of the Freed said...

Little things in this world are BIG things in His Kingdom... well done precious one, well done indeed.

Z