By: Brenda Wilkerson
At the #7 stop, my sweet and generous 3rd-grade princess paused briefly at my captain’s chair before departing down the steps. She awkwardly dug through items stuffed in her hands including book fair change and several other treasures while balancing her water bottle. “Here is your tip!” she proudly announced and then placed this dollar bill in my hands.
My first thought was to refuse the money and tell her to keep it, but how could I refuse an unsolicited act of generosity? “Why, thank you, My Lady” is what giggled out of my mouth. We both laughed, and I thanked her. She then turned to bounce down the 3 steep steps and happily skipped to her front door.
Oh, the little things we teach and learn, both good and bad, without even realizing it! Somewhere along the way, she picked up that act of kindness. Someone, most likely a parent, taught an invisible valuable lesson by example. It caused me to pause and wonder where else in my day do I teach and reinforce lessons unaware. Do I encourage or discourage others who wish to deposit small gifts in my life? The simple act of an encouraging response by accepting someone’s act of kindness may be the most impactful moment of the giver. Let this be our ‘tip’ to ponder on this crisp day knowing that
God loves a cheerful giver.
Let us encourage others by receiving gifts and acts of kindness just as cheerfully!
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV)
~Brenda Wilkerson
