The Thoughtfulness of Others

Tonight I must share my experience with the thoughtfulness of others.

This past Friday, one of our charity crafters, who is a gal about eight years younger than me, and who I've grown to think of as almost a sister, gave me a beautiful music box. She said she saw it in the store, thought of me with my current worries, and it just felt like it was meant for me.

This pretty music box has a crystal cross at the top, on the revolving part. Mary, at that time, had no idea just how much I love both snow globes and music boxes.

Two thoughts came to my mind about this unexpected gift. To display it properly, I must pray for the grace to de-clutter an area to do it justice. It is something I must do and this is a great motivator. Secondly, this woman and her DH have very little income and have many financial worries of their own, so this makes her wonderful gift even more precious to me.

Today, my 82-year-old neighbor picked up some treats for our household on his way home from work. Yep, he still works, this fellow, five days a week.

Tonight, he called me over after he got home and treated us to a single serving (but a large one) container of chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting from Albertsons. He also gave me half of his B1G1 containers of strawberries. This means that we end up with a whole container! Finally, he asked me to cut his cantaloupe in half and take one half. He is a sweetheart and does this type of thing at least once a week. It's true that I do for him, too. We sort of each help each other in whatever way we are best suited to help.

What I want to share is that when we open up to others and help them, it comes back to us. Even though we do not do it originally to build up favors, things happen. We may not always be blessed by those we help, and may instead by blessed by others, but it is still a blessing.

Dear Lord, thank you for the special treats your children have passed on to me, and bless them abundantly for their kindness. Help me, always, to be aware of where I might help others, in return.