I asked my husband if I could share this story, and he hesitated. He said, “I don’t know. Are you sure it won’t seem like bragging?”
I replied, “I will be bragging on you, but this story is too sweet not to share!”
So here’s what went down: during our vacation at Blue Mountain Beach, Florida, my hubby Jerod went for a 5 mile run with a bit of money in his pocket. He came upon a donut shop and stopped to check out the deliciousness. An unexpected treat for sure!
Jerod stood in the lengthy line and waited as the man in front of him picked out his donuts. The man handed his credit card to the cashier.
“We take cash only,” she said.
The guy was disappointed to say the least! His wife and kiddos had been waiting a long time and were excitedly expecting donuts back home. Jerod only had a little cash with him, but he said to the cashier,
“Hey, I’ve got his, no worries.”
The man looked truly shocked and said, “No, I can’t let you do that!” The cashier’s eyes bounced back and forth between Jerod and the man like she was watching a Wimbledon tennis match!
Jerod insisted and the man was so very appreciative! He shook Jerod’s hand and left the donut shop looking stunned. Now it was Jerod’s turn to order. Would you believe after paying for the stranger’s donuts he ended up being short a couple bucks for a dozen donuts?! Ha! Jerod admitted to me, “I was slightly disappointed that I didn’t have enough money, but I still felt like I had done what I was supposed to do.” He was fine with not being able to buy a full dozen, but the cashier smiled and said, “I’ll spot you!”
God provides (one way or another) when He prompts us to give!!
Jerod came running back with a dozen donuts and absolutely blessed our socks off! It was a first for him to bring home donuts…that I can remember anyway! But what really struck me was the chain reaction of kindness and God’s provision.
Jerod’s simple act of kindness affected the man and his family…and who knows…they potentially passed on more kindness to others. Next the cashier blessed Jerod with kindness and perhaps became inspired to keep passing it on. And I wonder about the other people in line…maybe they needed to see some kindness that day. Then Jerod shared what happened with me, and I felt moved to look for people to bless during the remainder of our vacation!
Your kindness, one small act at a time, will make a difference! You might say, “What’s the big deal?” And I would agree that donuts are not a big deal. However I know that when others have blessed me with simple, small acts of kindness…it has given me hope…refreshment…inspiration…and encouragement! It seems to happen when I really need a boost. God can use you in a big way through a small thing.
I must confess, if it had been me, I might not have bought the man’s donuts. I would have been afraid of not having enough for what I was wanting to buy! But Jerod knew he was prompted to do it, and look how it turned out! Even when we don’t think we have enough to share, God shows us that we can never “out give” Him!!
I love these scriptures:
Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
2 Corinthians 9:11, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
Micah 6:8, “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”