Midway through this year’s Lenten journey we are invited to REJOICE and for good reason. The New Testament readings (Ephesians 2:4-10, John 3:14-21) remind us of the gifts we have received freely from our generous God; the love of God, the grace of faith, Jesus, a call to good works and eternal life.
Mind-blowing! Humbling! Eliciting gratitude!
How do we respond to free gifts? In the movie “Pay it Forward” a junior high school class were invited to think of an idea that would change the world for the better. One young lad thought of paying forward good deeds. A simple example I experienced recently was going through the “Tim’s” line and finding out the person ahead of me had paid for my order! I couldn’t thank them because they were already gone but I was able to pass on their generosity by doing something good for someone else.
Simple Ways to Pay It Forward
Letting someone go in front of you in line
Paying for a stranger's coffee or meal
Sharing your green thumb
Donating blankets, pajamas, socks, and toiletries to shelters
Leaving a big tip for a server or waiter
Returning another person's shopping cart
Sending an email or card of gratitude.
