Pay it Forward

Last night we went out to eat with 2 other couples and our mass of kids (all infants/toddlers) which called for quite the chaotic evening (in a fun, crazy, mayhem sort of way).
Needless to say, we had a very large table.

In fact, we were the largest group in a place that was packed with a line of people waiting to be seated.

And when the time came to pay, our waitress kindly said:
"Oh - don't worry about. Another table picked up your tab."

We all looked at her puzzled as if we were waiting for the "Ha - just kidding. That will $120 please."
But it never came.
Then we started grilling her for who it was that was so kind and she told us they wanted it to be anonymous and plus they had already left.

Now let me explain why I found this extremely humbling, blessing, and why it swirled in my mind when I tried to go to sleep that night...

The place was packed. Line out the door, packed. If someone wanted to show an act of kindness, they could have easily chose ANY table...one with only a couple...one with only one family eating...but they chose the largest table (not to mention probably the most obnoxious!) in the whole place.

They went BIG. They went all in.

Furthermore, we're pretty confident it was a complete stranger since none of us had ever recognized anyone we knew since being there.

The local Christian radio station has had a big "pay it forward" movement going on this past year where they are really urging all listeners to do random acts of kindness. The push is so great that if you listen, you can't help but be mindful of ways you can show extra kindness.

I'll admit when I was in line at McDonald's the other day, I felt the urge to buy the meal of the car behind me. However at the moment, there was no car behind me. So I told myself when a car does pull in behind me, I'll ask the cashier what they ordered (since I was currently stuck at the window) and then decide if it was "too much" or something I could do.

They paid for our whole table...the largest table. They went big.

Perhaps the most beautiful part of our experience last night was seeing someone who truly, with all their heart, believe that money had no power over them - that God was bigger; that God was Provider. It's easy to say, but not so easy to live out.

I know I'm guilty.
But I also know that God has been working in our lives regarding money in powerful ways over the past year, and I am confident that He used this last night as a reminder to me to keep striving and stop swaying from what I know as truth...

And that truth is that God is Provider. God is Huge. God is Present. And greater things are yet to be done when we fully trust Him.

My lame McDonald's story where I considered paying for someone behind me if they happened to pull up? Thank the Lord they never did. My focus was pitiful.
But now I'm ready. Whatever it may look like, I don't want to fear going Big. And by going "big" I mean with no conditions - just acting when the Holy Spirit leads.

So pay it forward this week, my friends. It had an amazing impact in my life when someone did it for me, and I know the Lord as my personal Savior. Unexplainable kindness could urge lost people to search for answers only explained in the realm of a loving, sovereign Savior. Let's get to work! :)