I Was a Recipient…

I was a recipient…of a random act of kindness!

Yesterday I was grocery shopping in Aldi with both kids. We were in the meat department and the children were buzzing around this poor woman like bees swarming a hive! I asked the children to please stand by the cart – so they did.

The woman smiled and said “it’s okay, I have 3 of my own, I know how hard it is.” I apologized and said “well, you are here without them so you deserve a moment of silence and not my kids bothering you. Enjoy your moment.” We both laughed and smiled and then I finished my grocery shopping.

When we got in line there was long row of poinsettas by the cash register being sold. This same woman happened to be in line in front of us and she continued to watch my interactions with the children and smile at me. And I watched her as she picked up one poinsetta after another. I admired them and said how beautiful they are.
She checked out. I checked out. And as I began to bag my groceries…she walked up to me with a poinsetta in hand and said “this poinsetta is for you. I can see that you sacrifice a lot for your children, you need to do more for yourself. You deserve this.”

I was floored, surprised and overwhelmed. A stranger is giving me this beautiful flower for no reason! I didn’t deserve it. I hadn’t done anything special to receive it. And there I stood holding a poinsetta – humbled by her words of praise.
I wanted to give her something in return – but I had nothing to give her (offering her some bagels or green beans didn’t seem appropriate! lol!) So I received her gift and out the door she went and the children began asking 100 questions: “Why did she give it? Do you know her? What did she say?…” I just smiled from ear to ear and said, “She’s a kind woman, we need to be like her.”
When Jesus sent his disciples out in Matthew 10:8 he commanded them “Freely you have received, now freely give.” This poinsetta whispers this verse to me. I did nothing to receive it. I received it freely.
This holiday season, you have received the love of Jesus freely. Now we must give it away. It starts with a smile, a kind word, a hug, maybe even a gift. Not just to those you truly do love in your family and friends – but even to strangers. Freely give the love of Jesus to everyone around you!
Hebrews 13:1,2 says “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Give a random act of kindness today! Who knows as Hebrews 13: 2 says, you may even bless an angel!
Walk with the King!

18 Comments

  1. What a wonderfully heartwarming story – and what a generous woman. It makes me want to go out and do something like that – passing on the act of kindness. Just wanted to let you know that Mister Linky is up for this week's Crock Pot Wednesday.

  2. I was touched to tears. I have been the recipent and also had opportunities to give to others while shopping at Aldi. I guess your story remined me of those and our Great Saviors Love.

  3. What a sweet story that brought tears to my eyes. How neat that your children were able to share in it too, and that you were able to turn it into a teachable moment for them (and us :)). Thanks for sharing.

  4. That is awesome!!! I love how people (most people, anyways) make an effort to open doors, be more cheerful waiting in line, more polite, etc. at Christmas. I wish it would translate to all year long!! 🙂

  5. So happy for you Courtney! You so deserve a special treat! Makes me want to go out and do something like that too! Thanks for sharing your sweet story. I love it how God puts people in our lives to love on us. 🙂

    -Angela

  6. WOW! So wonderful that you where on the receiving end. I have a feeling you are usually the person who is doing the random act of kindness for others.

  7. What a fun story! I love that your kids were with you ~ what a great opportunity for them to watch random kindness in action! Thanks for sharing!

  8. I am looking forward to the opportunity to freely give on Christmas to those who can't be with their families because they have to work. My husband has to work on Christmas, so I am going to bundle up my little ones and we will be visiting fire stations and police stations to give them baked goodies and share the love of Christ with them.
    Blessings!
    Amy

  9. Thank you for this, I needed it today! And I will remember to pass it on. I once paid for someone else dinner and left the restaurant so they didn't feel that they had to thank me…I really didn't have the money but that man held his wife's hand in his the whole dinner…I knew my husband was the right man because he always holds my hand!

  10. Thanks guys for your sweet comments and hearts! I was so glad the children were able to see this too! Let's pass on the love of Jesus!!!

  11. So good to hear about God stirring people and their obedient response. I would love to know how SHE was blessed for obeying, and I know you'll be blessed each time you see your gift this season. What a great reminder for your kids to see in your home! Yay! The Lord is so kind.

  12. I'm just hopping over from KellysKorner! Your post was very moving! How neat and inspiring! 🙂

  13. That is the sweetest thing ever!! I love that woman! hehe.. aww.. seriously tho.. that is SO nice.. and I bet you do deserve it (and more) all us moms do!!

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