Yesterday I was feeling irritated about the gas prices going up. After Brent got home from work, I told him I'd put 20 bucks worth of gas in the car and only got 1/4 of a tank. He told me to go ahead and fill the rest of the tank because he'd heard gas is going to continue to rise (probably straight thru the summer!). So after dinner, I grabbed the $40 we had left in our gas budget and left to get gas and some bday gifts for Sarah. When I pulled into the gas station, it was still 3.45/gallon. As I got out to unscrew the cap and start filling up, a gentleman approached me with his child. He told me he'd like to fill my tank for me. I thought he was trying to earn a few dollars by pumping my gas, but since I didn't have a single dollar bill, I said no thanks. He stopped and said, "No, I don't think I said that right. I'd like to pump and pay for your gas". What? I was looking at him rather strangely I'm sure. He handed me a card from his church and said they were looking for someone to share a little kindness with. I told him that I just couldn't let him pay for my gas -- it was too expensive these days. He looked at me and said, "No, really. My 7 year old son was inside the gas station and he's been picking out the people he thinks we should help. He chose you when you drove in. I'd really like to share this kindness with you. Please allow our family to give this service to you today. Our whole Bible study group has gone with their families to various stations in the area and doing the same thing." His son was standing there BEAMING from ear to ear. How could I say no to that?? I told him I would let them do it, but only to put in $40 since that was all I had planned on doing. Thankfully I'd already put in $20! I told them I'd go find someone else that could use a little help also. I asked a few people there and got turned down. Then I noticed a couple that was filling up and hadn't put too much in yet. I asked if I could share my $40 with them since someone else was doing the same kindness for me. The lady looked as dumbfounded as I'm sure I had. She said thank you and accepted my cash. When I got back to my car, I noticed the gentleman had put $58 of gas in my vehicle. I told him he shouldn't have put that much in-- to which he replied he was grateful I'd allowed him to show his children how to serve others. He said he felt that his family had been blessed and felt they needed to teach their kids to return the blessings to others. I told him thank you for the reminder and his example. He shook my hand and told me to have a great night.
I think I'm still in shock from this whole experience. I don't know how many people he helped last night. I think the look on the child's face was worth a thousand words though. I wish you could've all seen it! I hope my own kids get that kind of happiness from service. It's nice to see that there are wonderful people in the world that still care about others. So, today as you go about your day, look for someone that could use a little extra kindness and pass it forward. We've all been so blessed! Just knowing about the gospel is blessing enough. Share it with others.
7 comments:
That is a great story and a great example. It is hard for me to share the gospel with people because I honestly don't have a lot of friends that aren't members of the church but what a great example of how such a simple thing can show others what you believe. I really believe that the strongest way to share the gospel is to live in such a way that others will want what you have.
What an awesome story! That is such a good way to teach your kids service. How fun for the little boy. One of the best ways I ever learned service was when mom and dad had us do the 12 months of christmas for a family in need. That was such a lesson builder for me. We didn't have much money at the time, but we did what we could.
Lindsey
Thank you so very much for sharing this story. It really touched my heart. I don't do enough good in the world often enough. This will make me think all day long about things I could do better, even if it isn't paying for someone else's gas.
Great blessings come to those who respond without "assignment." That's a lesson to learn as well.
Mom
Yeah, I think I heard that lesson a few times while a teenager: "...it is not meet that I should command in all things...." (I'm slothful!) Glad this dude decided to heed that scripture (without knowing it) and that you were the beneficiary!
I've gotta think of a cheaper way to pay it forward. Perhaps packs of gum -- that better fits me!
I remember doing the twelve months of christmas too. Once at work, this lady didnt have enough money to pay for the rest of her food, so she told me she didnt want it anymore. The lady behind her said, I want to pay for her groceries with mine if thats ok. I hope someday I get the chance to do that.
I think my most memorable family service project was the Sat morning mom and dad took us all to Bishop Maughn's house. He had a strange yard that needed some weeding and since he was in a wheelchair, our family decided we'd do their yardwork. I think by the end of the morning, we were all pretty happy. I know the Bishop was grateful and I remember sitting there talking to him about it. He was a neat bishop!
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