Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians
5:18, NIV)
I was moved
by a story of a lady who felt the urge at a Starbuck’s drive-through to pay for
the coffee of a single mom in the car behind her. It was a random act of kindness that had more
impact than she would realize.
The story
continues with the mom who received the free coffee. She had recently lost her father who was the
family baby sitter. They hired a baby
sitter who would watch the kids while mom worked. But, then the baby sitter got sick and mom
had to take a day off work to be with the kids. She got her kids breakfast at a fast food place and she felt a need for
coffee for which she got with a lot of guilt (her words
underlined). Just then she gets this act
of grace and free coffee. She breaks out
with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
When the mom
gets home, she sees her generous lady is a neighbor. Mom writes a note to her neighbor to express
how grateful and thankful she is for the free coffee. It’s more than just that free cup of coffee,
but an encouragement in what was a day full of set back and
disappointment. Mom could express
thanksgiving and gratitude in spite of the hardship she was facing.
A spirit of gratitude is for the blessings God brings us
daily in the gifts we see around us; in the surprises that wow us; and in the
faith that saves us. May a spirit of
gratitude be expressed by each of us when we do a kind deed of grace for
another not knowing how it may be multiplied for the other. It will be a praise and gratitude to God and
a blessing that will overflow in one’s heart.
Whose to know what the Lord may grace us with at any time and any day? That is why we are thankful and expressing
daily praise to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev. Dr.
John Duling
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