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Soon after graduating from college I loaded my tiny hatchback with all the worldly belongings I cram into it and moved clear across country (literally, from sea to shining sea). My greatest possession was a long-distance calling card (yes, Martha, these were pre-cell phone days) enabling me to call home in an emergency. The trip from Tampa, FL to Glendale, CA took two and a half days. I traveled across the 18-mile Atchafalaya Basin Bridge in Louisiana and wondered at all the alligators swimming in the bayou below. I drove through Texas amazed at how road kill changed from possums and armadillos in the south to skunks and roadrunners in the west.
I barely knew one person in California, a college classmate with whom I shared a couple of classes three years prior. Other than that...not one soul. I was far from home and communication was not what it is today. No cell phones, no internet, no social media. Just me, enough money for two month's rent and a totally unfurnished apartment. To my horror, I discovered CA apartments do NOT come equipped with refrigerators. Renters have to buy their own and I had no money to spare.
As it happened, my first Sunday in California found me in the pew at St. Mark's Episcopal in Glendale. I knelt and prayed, "Oh Lord, what have I done? I am in over my head? Whatever am I to do?" Silence.
At the Exchange of the Peace, the elderly woman sitting in the pew in front of me turned to greet me. Though the greeting was but a moment, I was able to explained that I had just moved from FL and it was my first Sunday at St. Mark's. After the service this stranger took me to lunch. During the course of our conversation I shared my distress over my refrigerator situation. Without hesitation, she pulled $300 from her purse and handed it to me; instructing me to go and buy what I needed. No need to repay her. Just the hope that I would pay it forward. What?! This woman didn't even know me and here she was handing me what felt like a substantial amount of money. I did as she instructed.
Little did I know Exchanging of the Peace that morning, would be the start of a precious friendship. Madge was not a rich woman. $300 would have been an extravagant gift to offer a stranger, yet she did it without hesitation; without counting the cost. She did it because she trusted God and sought His will for her life.
The kindness of a stranger. An act of faith on her part...the humbleness of heart on mine. To give and to receive is the essence of community. Reflecting back some 35 years later, I wonder who was the richer? Madge for giving from her heart...or me, for receiving a gift I could not repay.
Who among us has been the beneficiary of the helping hand of a stranger? How did you repay the debt? Madge was not the first, nor has she been the last stranger to bless my life. But with each act of kindness I have been emboldened to reach out in my own time...in love...never counting the cost. And each time, I consider myself the one who is blessed. God is indeed good.
The helping hand of a stranger, or a friend or family member...and suddenly...a closed door cracks open..the light of hope shines through...and a life is transformed. What more could we ask? What more could God ask of us?
As you rise to meet each new day, may your heart's eye be open to the need God places before you...and respond with love and compassion. Such generosity of heart not only blesses the receiver...but also blesses us in ways we could never ask or imagine.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have,
for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:16
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 19:17
With gratitude and love for each and every one of you!
Michelle+
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