Pay It Forward

You're likely quite familiar with that phrase......pay it forward.  You've probably heard stories of people who drove up to the window to pay for their coffee or their burger, only to discover that the person in the previous car had paid their bill.  Maybe you've even been the recipient of such kindness from a stranger.  Or you might have been the one displaying such kindness.

When I was a young child, the phrase pay it forward had not entered our lexicon.  But I remember my parents sharing food or money with people who had a need, or buying shoes or a jacket for someone who didn't have one, always anonymously done.  In fact they probably weren't aware that I was aware of what they had done. 

Like many young married couples, we had our share of financial struggles.  (In fact, it sometimes seemed that we had more than our share!)  Along the way, we were blessed by those who bought a meal for us, who provided for us financially when we had a need, who shared their blessings with us.  And now, in a different season of our lives, our blessing is far greater when we are able to pay it forward, and do the same for others.  When we are able in some way to help meet a financial need, or to provide a meal, or in some other tangible way pay forward the blessings we received.

The Christmas season is a wonderful time to think about paying it forward.  As you're wrapping your presents and baking your cookies, maybe you could think of ways to share a gift or a plate of cookies with someone.  Maybe it's a good time of year to buy a cup of coffee for someone else.  Or to put a little extra in the bell ringer's kettle.  To fill a shoebox with gifts for a child.  To find some way to be a blessing to someone else.

Even as you're thinking of ways to share tangible gifts.....a cup of coffee, a meal, some cookies, a sweater.....why not also be considering ways to pay forward the greatest gift you ever received.  To pay forward the gift of Jesus!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16 ESV, emphasis mine )

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"  (2 Corinthians 9:15 NASB, emphasis mine)

"always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."  (2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV)

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is with God's Love,
Once you've experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

(-Kurt Kaiser)