Pay it Forward

It's been awhile...a long time since I have posted. Life has been nothing short of a whirlwind since "the flood". Today is no less hectic, but I have to pause and share what happened to me yesterday.

I woke up and Tom told me that "Today is going to be the best day ever!" This is a daily ritual that I have grown to love. He continued his mantra every day during the flood...I grew weary of it. I was depressed...could hardly crawl out of bed each day...aware of the tears that were ready to spill out of my head at any given moment. Life was in shambles...the kids were not handling the chaos well...and we all just wanted our life back.

Well...yesterday was the FIRST day since the flood that I actually believed him. I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel...had an extra measure of faith poured down on me and was excited to face the day.

My carpet guys came and finished our carpet. The cabinet guys came and hung our cabinets. I went to the granite shop - only to find that ALL of their lighting was on Clearance. I was able to buy 5 exterior lights and two bathroom vanity lights for $300.

The housekeepers were at my house - dusting everything. I decided to bring them lunch...and Courtney, who was at the house with Bryce.

Chick-fil-A was the choice. They told me it would be $35.00 at the next window. I got to the window and the lady said, "The woman in the car in front of you told me to tell you that God loves you and to have a blessed day."

"What!?? It's $35! That's a lot of money!", I said.

"I know...but she paid for it".

"Well let me pay for the person behind me, then", I pleaded.

"Okay...theirs is $3.72", she said.

"Well let me pay for the car behind THEM, too", I said.

"Okay...theirs is $3.12", she smiled.

I quickly realized that this woman had done something for me that I would not be able to repay. I cried all the way home...touched at this random act of service...and the timing of it all. It was the perfect day to be reminded of God's love for me. It was almost like a little pat on the head from Heavenly Father...telling me I was doing a good job for trying to see the good again. It made me want to bless other people's lives more often.

On one of my lowest days during this ordeal...I was sitting in my car in a parking lot of the vet. A man pulled into the spot next to me. I looked over at him and smiled and he just stared at me. Nothing in return. As soon as his back was to me, I broke down in tears.

I had always thought it was cheesy that people would say "Do something for someone else today. Just smile at someone today! You never know how much they might need it."

"Who needs a smile?", I thought to myself. "If their life is going that bad...what's a smile going to do?"

Now I know. I needed it that day. I just needed SOMEONE...ANYONE...to just be kind.

I now want to be that person. I want to leave everyone better than I found them..."giving hope to the weary".

I have learned that when you decide it is going to be a great day...great things come to you. When you face the day with gloom and dread...the same finds you.

"You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach