Today's assignment: Find a way to pay it forward. You’ve been encouraged in your God-sized dreams by your sisters here the last few months. How can you spread that encouragement forward by investing in other dreamers? It can be small and simple or BIG and wild. Ask God what you can do and get creative. Then write a post about what you’re doing and link it up below.
I did find a way to pay-it-forward, but I am going to keep it private, and instead, share with you a story from my past.
<< Rewind to 1994 <<
We had been married not even four months. I was working what temp jobs I could find, while Mike took classes at Michigan State and worked part-time in the dorm cafeteria. Good times.
Rewind just a bit more: Two weeks before our wedding, I wrecked our car -- late at night, country road, county had just put down loose gravel, I went too fast around the curve and came face to face with a tree. I was fine. The car was not. We used most of our wedding money to fix our car.
Then, a couple of months later, we were rear-ended in a hit and run. Thankfully we were again okay, and the car was still driveable. It looked horrible, but we drove it for 3 more years with a smashed back end that needed a screwdriver to pop the trunk.
Then just weeks after the hit and run our transmission went out. I remember taking our car to the shop, and having to walk back to campus -- it was a good 2-3 mile walk on a brisk sunny day. And I remember the tears and wondering how in the world we were going to pay for this. Love is good, but it doesn't pay the bills.
Later that week, in the mail, we got a large check from some good friends. They were by no means wealthy -- they were a few years older than us, raising two kids, serving in ministry. But they reached deep into their hearts, and generously shared their money with us to meet a very real need in our lives. It was then and there that Mike and I knew we would pay-forward this act of kindness to others when we were able to later in life.
One small deed of encouragement (love in action) has the power to alter the course of one's life. That is the truth we experienced.
And writing this just now, reminds me that we got to hear Bob Goff at church a few weeks ago, and I need to get his book, Love Does from the library! If I ever get to be as wealthy as him, I hope I use my money to change lives like he does, but I will also not let my lack of wealth keep me from doing good now with what I have been given. I'm glad God gives us others, to encourage us, while we pursue the dreams He places in our hearts!
If you've never heard Bob Goff, check out this short you-tube video (this guy put his personal cell phone number in the back of his book for readers and tries to answer every call he receives!):
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2 comments:
Love Does is definitely on my reading list! You'll have to let me know what you think of it. :) Thank you for sharing this and, more importantly, allowing the kindness of others to change your life. Isn't it amazing the difference one person can make? You are a blessing, friend!
I have heard so much about Bob Goff and his Love Does book I am going to have to get me a copy. Thanks for sharing.
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