Paying Forward the Gift of Love

Have you ever received a gift that at the time seemed inconsequential, perhaps even childish, only later to realize the impact of what you’ve been given? To realize you’ve been given a gift of love?

It was the day before Thanksgiving. In my rush to get home and start cooking for our Thanksgiving meal, I almost missed the blessing and gift of love of the person sitting in a car with all their belongings.

Gifts of Love Can Be Missed If We Don’t Slow Down

My suspicions of homelessness were soon confirmed, but this encounter was not what one would expect. Not only was this person full of gratitude, they were also full of generosity and a beautiful childlike wonder. After making sure they had all they needed for the night, I explained I had an errand to run. They attempted several times to convince me to swing back by, needing just a few more minutes to finish reading what looked to be a children’s book. A life-changing gift of love was the promise and reason given. In my rush I expressed my gratitude, but explained I wouldn’t be able to come back.

That somewhere was the grocery store. I doubt many of us feel privileged these days when checking out at the grocery store, but suddenly to be able to check out with a cart of food for Thanksgiving felt like immense privilege.

The rush was self-imposed. I wanted to spend time with my family on Thanksgiving, so I had planned to start cooking the day before. Unfortunately I had lost track of time and was running behind my self-imposed deadline.

Gifts of Love Can Be Lessons In Humility

Just before I reached the checkout, the Spirit knocked on my heart.

Slow down.

Go back.

Take chicken and taters from the deli.

Hoping they liked chicken and taters, I returned to once again see a delighted face light up even more. I’m sure it was at least in part because of the chicken, but this person was even more excited because they had finished this “life-changing book” and now urgently insisted I take it home to read and then to pay it forward to someone else.

I took a few moments to make sure they had everything they needed for the night before heading home, book in hand and promise given.

Humbled by the magnitude of the lessons to learn from our short encounter.

Gifts of Love Can Break Assumptions

At first glance it looks like a children’s book, but it is quite thick. In the busy chaos of this season, I postponed reading it, but set it where I would be reminded of my promise. I had a trip coming up to take some classes, and decided to take it with me for my nighttime reading.

I hadn’t even cracked it open, thinking its thickness indicated a lengthy read.

And now I sit in my hotel room, having devoured Charlie Mackesy’s Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm, in less than half an hour. A treasure of a book that reminds the reader of their worth and the value of being in community with one another. It reminds us to be patient, kind and gentle with ourselves. When struggles come, it reminds us that simply breathing is a valid next step and a victory to celebrate. It reminds us to be present, and take in the wonder and awe of the beauty around us, even in the midst of the storm. What struck me also was the reminder that strength comes from knowing we are loved.

A gift of love I almost missed.

“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

As we continue the season of Advent and the expectation of the Christ child, may we always endeavor to pay this gift of love forward. But first, may we truly understand just how wide and long, high and deep God’s love is for us!

Only then can we genuinely pay that love forward to others.

Merry Christmas friends.