An Uplifting Story

I had read the article on Yahoo News the other day about the Christmas Angels that are paying off layaways at K-Mart.  It was such a touching story and showed that there are many people in the world who will go out and do what they can to help others.  It doesn't take a lot to make a huge difference in someone's life.  Beyond the actual gift of the money paying off the layaway, these people were also given a huge gift of knowing that someone in this world loves and cares about them.  A good friend of mine had a similar experience the other day that I wanted to share with you.  It was a story that really touched my heart.

My friend is having a lot of difficulties this year.  She received a gift in the mail from one of her family members.  It was a pre paid American Express card and she decided she was going to use it to buy some baking supplies to bring some holiday cheer into her house for her two little boys.  She loaded her 3 and 2 year olds up in the car and headed towards Walmart to get what they needed only to find the car was almost completely out of gas.  She barely made it to the gas station and slid her card into the pay at the pump slot.  It wouldn't take it.  She took both boys out of their seats and into the gas station.  The attendant told her that they don't accept American Express.  My friend was very worried now.  She was almost completely out of gas and no way to pay for it.  She didn't even think she could make it the two miles back to the house to see if there was any cash at home.  She walked out and started to buckle the children back in.  The attendant came running out to tell her that a lady in the store had pre paid $10 worth of gas for her.  Merry Christmas!  It seems she saw the lady who did it as she was pulling out and the same lady was in Walmart when she was cashing out.  She had the opportunity to thank her.  The lady told her that earlier in the week when she had been low on cash and was in a similar situation, someone had done the same for her.  My friend said she did not deserve someone's kindness like that, and I told her of course she did!  She was in a situation that she was in need and provided someone an opportunity to serve her.  Someday she will be in a position to do the same for someone else.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4 :10

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.  Proverbs 19:17

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Matthew 20:28