Pay it Forward

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James:3:13

The other day we drove up for coffee. When it was our time to pay, the barista  said, "the car in front of you has already paid, so you don't owe us at all."

We did not recognize the car or the driver. In fact, we don't believe we had ever seen that car before. 

This is not the first time we have been honored by the gift of someone paying it forward. A small boy offered me $2 once when the cashier wouldn't take either my check or credit card. Complete strangers asked us to share their table in a crowded restaurant and then paid our bill. The Runza drive up window also informed us, "the car in front of you has prepaid". 

These happenings have been in different places and even in different countries. The warmth we feel can only be compared to how one feels when a small child grins at you or a quiet teenager suddenly laughs in happiness or perhaps when a test comes back negative.

"Happiness is, different things to different people, that's what happiness is". An old song completes the feelings we have. This is the season for Thanksgiving and very soon, Advent. What better time to pay it forward than now. A smile, a phone call, a letter, a card, or even a free coffee. Who knows what that will do for the car behind you or the person in front of you or far away.

Prayer: Help us to see clearly and do as you would have us do. In your son's name, we pray. Amen

Carolyn Olsen