Monday, May 18, 2009

Pay It Forward

As I was getting ready for work, I noticed the rubber "Pay It Forward" bracelet that was sitting in my ring holder. It's been there since my son gave it to me several weeks ago. He rushed in one evening when he heard me putting up the dishes from the dishwasher and helped me put them away. He took off the bracelet from his wrist and gave it to me and told me that I needed to do one kind act that I wouldn't normally do or get a reward for, and then I would need to pass on the bracelet to the person that I did the kind act for and encourage them to do the same. He said that he had been challenged at school to participate and now it was up to me.

While I think it's good that my son's school is promoting doing kind acts, the message really isn't a new one. Jesus shared a message of caring for others and today we are still called to give of ourselves. So why has it been so difficult for me to complete my turn...I would like for it to be a natural response rather than something I plan. Matthew 25:34-40 reminds me to show kindness-"pay it forward" so to speak, but not just because someone has done a kind act for me or because of what a bracelet says. I'm called to kindness & love because I love my Lord and my God.

Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'


This situation has challenged me to pray that this become a natural response in my life and that I'm willing to show kindness to everyone (even when it might inconvenience me).

1 comment:

  1. Right on Keri! You know it just gives you that warm fuzzy feeling all over and you know the spirit of God is in you and all around you. I like knowing God is in me.

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