Unexpected Gifts
The thing I love most about the Christmas season is the fact that everyone around you is willing to help out a friend in need. Of course you see the people with the bells standing outside stores and you drop a few coins in as you pass. Or maybe you drop a few toys off at a local shelter. Everyone just seems a little more willing to help out those of us who are less fortunate.
It just so happens this past week I was one of those people who were blessed immensely by people around me who were willing to help out someone in desperate need. I got into a little financial difficulty last week when my account got overdrawn from buying Christmas presents for my family. I was shopping and the next thing I knew I was almost $200 in the hole. My dad who is ever so generous luckily bailed me out but I had no idea how I was going to buy food or gas for the next month until I got another paycheck. Honestly I was starting to get a little worried I was going to have to go hungry for awhile.
Well I walked into my office today, and all the student workers have little stockings hanging up on the wall. Someone told me to check mine, and it turns out someone had anonymously dropped off some money. And it just so happens I will most likely have enough to get through the next 3 weeks buying food and gas. Someone out there, and I have no idea who they are, has blessed my life in such a huge way. I actually had to go to the bathroom and cry because I am just so utterly thankful. So whoever you are, thank you and may God bless you as you have blessed me today.
So my challenge to you this holiday season is not only buy presents for a few people, but really look around and see what needs are out there. Faithful sings a song called Season of Love, and one of the lines in it says, “Where a prayer could be enough, our hands open up, and give a little more. Crowded hearts make room, and kindness falls like the snow.” This song could not mean more to me than it does now. So, this season, pay it forward to someone a little less fortunate than you are this year. You never know what an impact you could have in someone's life.
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
Lauren