A story of a random act of kindness...
I will never forget one day in August of 2020.
The Pandemic had been in full force for months, and everything was uncertain. Like many, were struggling to make ends meet: mortgage, groceries, gas. All of it.
That is when Tom received a phone call from our neighbor who asked if he could help him move a piece of patio furniture. Tom, being Tom, said, “Of course! On my way.”
When Tom arrived in the neighbor’s backyard, he asked if Tom had a moment to chat, inviting him to sit on a bench next to him. That is when this neighbor said, “I have been watching your family for years. I know that Pandemic has been difficult for many. I want you and Michelle to have this,” handing Tom an envelope.
Tom and I have a saying we use on the regular: “Don’t block the blessing.” It seems that accepting anything (a compliment, a meal, an envelope from a neighbor), is counterintuitive. Tom and I have made a deliberate attempt to accept what another is offering us. We want to honor the giver. And if we refuse to do that, we “block the blessing.”
Tom said a heartfelt, “Thank you,” hugged our neighbor, and walked the 30 yards across the street back to our home. When he entered, I was sitting at the kitchen table, eating lunch. He laid the envelope in front of me, telling me the story about “moving our neighbor’s piece of patio furniture.”
I listened.
I picked up the envelope gingerly, holding it in my hands.
I knew instantly exactly how much was inside.
Instantaneously, I began to bawl. Loud enough that the girls emptied out of their bedrooms, and came to my side, asking if I was okay. When I explained to them what had just happened through emotional sobs, I noticed our picture of Jesus breaking bread, head bowed, next to our table. He had a front row seat to this miracle. In fact, I am quite certain, He may have had something to do with it.
Through snot and tears, I told the girls, “We will never forget this gift. We will always remember this unexpected act of kindness. Let us always remember to be of service to others who are struggling.”
Inside that envelope was the exact amount of money that we had been unable to save for 5 months for the girls’ college fund. The exact amount.
Let us be stewards in random (and not so random) acts of kindness. Both as givers and receivers.
On July 25, this guy and will be officially married for half my life: 26 years. Yay us.
The above story is one of the reasons the Village has a Help a Sister fund, allowing all folks to attend our offerings despite financial hardship. It also offers hope for Villagers walking through unexpected catastrophe. In the past, we have gifted dinners, flowers, donations for surgeries, clean up from hurricanes, etc. If you are interested in receiving or donating towards a scholarship, please reach out to Michelle at myvillagewell@gmail.com
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