Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Dear God,

Thank you for opportunities that present themselves to us in surprising ways!  Tonight we ate dinner at Olive Garden.  Next to us was a single mother with two beautiful little girls.  It was obvious it was the little girls' birthday because there were wrapped presents on the table.  As the children opened their simple, modest gifts they lined them up on the fireplace hearth next to the table.  They were so excited.  As the five-year-old caught my eye, she waved so I stepped over to the table to wish them a happy birthday.  They were all too happy to show me their gifts.

What I noticed was a tired mother eating a salad for her entrée.  I could tell it was a big deal for this little family to eat out and have a birthday party at the same time.  That triggered memories of my own three daughters when they were young and I too was a single mom trying to put myself through college.  We couldn't afford big birthday parties either so we did simple, small things and made a big celebration out of them.

During the time we lived on the poverty line, kind surprises came our way.  After leaving church one Sunday a man from our church noticed my car tire where the tread was so worn down that wires were showing through.  Without my knowledge he purchased a used tire, came to our house, and changed the tire free of charge.  One evening a lady showed up at our house and asked me to give her one of my bills.  Because I was having trouble paying the high electric bill even though we kept the thermostat down to 55 degrees (how did she know?), she took the bill and left with a firm response that we would never talk about it again.  My efforts to thank her were futile.  A friend brought a sack of groceries.  These were all gifts from heaven easing the pressure to provide for my family.

As my husband and I finished our meal, we anonymously paid for the birthday family's meal and counted it a blessing to us, to the family, and even to the server who got to share the good news.

Praise to you,
Lord God,
for gifts
of your spirit.
Thank you
for the
blessed chance
to bless
someone else
with your love.
Thank you
not only
for the blessing
to help
someone else
but also
to remember
and give thanks
for those
who helped
my family.
Glory to you!

Love, Andrea