Surprise presents are often the best, particularly when they come from unexpected sources. When they come from strangers whom you’ll never see again there is a real element of grace about them. Its “undeserved kindness” in action.
Last week my friend Martin wanted to take me out for breakfast for a belated birthday present. We duly arrived at Millhouses café ready to tuck in to a traditional fry up. I sat down whilst Martin ordered. He then shuffled over and asked me if I had any cash. He assumed the café would take plastic or a cheque and didn’t. We fumbled in wallets and pockets and found a few pounds between us, but not enough.
A lady was on the next table and must have overhead. She came over offering us a £20 note to pay for our breakfast. My first thought, trusting man that I am, was it must be a forgery! She then explained that the previous week she had been at Crufts Dog Show and someone she didn’t know had given her an unused £15 ticket. We thanked her of course, gave her the change and offered to pay her back if she’d give us her address which she declined to do.
As far as we know she wasn’t a Christian, and she hadn’t seen some light in the sky before offering us the cash but her actions were a blessing to Martin and I, a grace-gift in a very real sense. Its prompted me again to think of the profound effect it has on us when someone does an undeserved act of kindness to or for us. There is also a “feel good” factor in doing something like this for others too, its as if we are pleasing God and sense His smile. Whatever the motivation in us, generosity and kindness are to be passed on. The more these values flow the happier our society will become.
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