Pay it Forward

I didn’t deserve her kindness. She had “hired” me to be her assistant: to help her serve and host an elegant fund-raising event for the American Heart Association. At fourteen years old, I lacked the poise and refinement for such an event. But she saw something in me I didn’t yet recognize and took me under her wing.

Her table was set with fine china and antique stemware. As we prepared for the guests to arrive, she described the provenance of her favorite antiques, how they had been handed down through generations to arrive safely on her table. I was awed by the history. The set of dishes my grandmother has passed down had been collected piece by piece from the ACME supermarket. I was out of my league.

The guests enjoyed an elegant afternoon and Mrs. Brown was pleased with the amount she had raised for her cause. The atmosphere was much more relaxed as we cleared tables and washed dishes. I was careless. I picked up too many goblets at one time and the fragile glass shattered. I was horrified. How would I break the news? Mrs. Brown had taken a chance on me, believed me worthy of her trust.

If she was angry or disappointed, she never shared it with me. Sensing my fear, she came along side me and gave me a gentle hug of reassurance. Everything would be okay.

How can you repay that sort of kindness? I didn’t deserve her forgiveness nor her reassurance. She gave me a gift that day: a lesson I have carried with me ever since. She taught me that even when things seem really bad, put them in light of what’s really important in life. There’s tremendous power in a dose of perspective.

A few years ago there was a movie that floated the idea of a noble experiment. Pay it forward. If someone has done something extraordinary for you, don’t pay them back, pay it forward. Give or help or serve or forgive someone else.

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God’s love be in that person. Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:16-18 NLT).

God’s gift to us is too huge. Our sins are forgiven, our transgression wiped clean. His love for us is unconditional. We can’t return that favor. Besides, God isn’t looking for repayment. Our offering is not payback.

He wants us to pay it forward. Take a chance on someone. Forgive those who have wronged us. Mirror His love and reach out to those in need. Share our treasures even when our account balance is low.

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.” (1Peter 5:1-3).

In the words of Rick Warren, "ultimately, it will be the donation of your life that will count far more than the duration.”