Kindness & Gratitude

Well, I love how life just happens sometimes. You know how things just come together and the light bulb goes on and something makes complete sense. Those have been happening to me more and more lately. For me, I know it is the Lord working my life and my heart. That makes me super excited for every single day because I know something is happening. Which brings me to today and what I’m busting at the seams to share with you.

Travel with me to the day I attended an ALIGN workshop to help me with my branding, vision and the business of blogging. I know, blogging is like a hobby with friends but I have some dreams so I needed some assistance to help me get there. Thankfully, I live super close to Dallas/Ft. Worth and there are so many options to get it all together if you want to get it together. It’s time for me to get it together.

I arrived a little early for the workshop and made my way to the closest Starbucks for a latte. As I entered the drive thru, I heard a little voice in my spirit nudging me to pay for the drink for the person behind me. I thought to myself that I didn’t really want to do that. I’ve done that before and have yet to have anyone reciprocate. That shouldn’t matter, right? As I waited to reach the window the conversation in my head did not go away even though I tried desperately to dismiss it.

Finally, it was my turn at the window and as I offered my card the barista sweetly relayed the message that my drink was already paid for. I was shocked and humbled all at the same time. I offered my card to purchase the drink of the person behind me.

As I exited the drive thru and headed to my workshop, I knew this was not an ordinary act of kindness for me. It was God gently nudging me and reminding me to live more generously, to be more thoughtful and kind. I was thankful for that lesson.

A couple of days later as I was cleaning the bathroom my thoughts drifted back to the Starbucks incident. I began thanking the Lord for the kindness shown to me. Immediately words drifted into my head that I have known for years. They sounded like this…”You can’t out give God.” Humbled again by God’s sweet goodness in that reminder.

And then…it happened again, people! This time when my husband and I were out for breakfast on Veteran’s Day. Our forever frequented place where we recognize the regulars and know the wait staff. As our sweet waitress warmed up our coffee my husband quietly said he’d like to pick up the tab for the older gentleman sitting behind us. What’s up with that? He reminded me that this man was a WWII veteran to which I say you’re a veteran too! His reply? The man was at Iwo Jima. Enough said! Good call, hubby! Although we are definitely not wealthy by the American standard, I know that we cannot out give God and we ought to be attentive so we don’t miss opportunities to be kind to others with our resources. I miss that lots of times because I just don’t listen!

Later that day we went out for coffee after a Saturday evening church service. The cashier took our order for a little pumpkin spice bundt cake. Anything else, she asked? I jokingly said I’d like the crumbly stuff left on the cinnamon cake plate which sported only one lonely piece. She said, “Done, it’s yours! Also, I’m not charging you for this dessert and coffee…enjoy. Y’all are too cute!” Her words not mine. You can’t out give God….kindess breathes out and I inhale an attitude of gratitude.

I’ve discovered that kindness leads me to be more grateful in my life. It amazes how often these little incidents keep happening lately. But I also want to say this because I think it matters. Please don’t ignore wait staff and food service industry workers. They spend lots of time on their feet with sometimes with little thanks. The same day we were out for breakfast a huge table of men {from a local church including staff members} were ignorant of how they ignored their waitress and made her job difficult. I say that because I know her. She’s been our waitress for years and I can read what annoys her. She matters. She and others work hard for their tips so tip them. I didn’t grow up tipping but I have learned to do it and sometimes begrudgingly comply. But I watch my husband who is always generous with tipping. Kindness…it can show up in so many ways but it’s especially important to be kind to other humans.

Be blessed ~ Carrie

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