Give, and you shall receive.

I read an article this morning that discussed “Pending coffee”. A person in Washington, D.C., witnessed two police officers and three attorneys purchase five and seven coffees respectively. The police officers took their two and the attorney’s their three and the others were pending coffee. A short while later, an elderly, underprivileged (in this case it means poor) gentleman walk in and ask the cashier if they had any pending coffee available. She gave him a cup of coffee. To this gentleman it was free, but it had been paid for in advance. In this respect, it’s very much like Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross paying for our sins, all we need to do is ask him into our hearts and accept something freely. Do you see the connection I am making? They paid for the coffee and a person asked if there was any and he received it, free.

Now, I know that people are going to say something about this being nowhere near the same thing. But, isn’t it? In both cases, a person paid something for us and we simply need to ask to receive. Remember, I said this was very much like what Jesus did for us. It’s all a matter of interpretation and this is open for it. This is my interpretation of the situation.

I also read comments from people ridiculing the police officers and attorneys for their act of kindness. Comments degrading, even further, the plight of this man. Harsh words spoken about people they do not know. I want to say thank you to the people that purchase “pending coffee” for their small act of kindness. I also want to thank that gentleman for asking if there was a pending coffee for him to have. It allowed a person to witness and speak about what they saw. See, the further I go with this, the more it becomes blatantly obvious to me about the similarities between this act and our Lord and Savior’s crucifixion. Acts of kindness and people witnessing about what they saw and a person(s) being ridiculed.

Thankfully, the negative comments were few and the words of praise many. To read other comments addressing the negative and explaining that (in this case) the coffee was only free to the person who asked for it and really, it wasn’t free because it had been paid for. The people that purchased these coffees see, on a daily basis, the people that receive it. They know the plight of these people. I would be willing to bet that for some of these people, that warm cup of coffee they asked for, may be the only hot thing they get for the rest of the day. The time they take in the coffee shop to sit down and drink their coffee may be the only place where they can be warm for a little bit of time.

As a whole in society, people forget about the simplicity of having a warm home to live in, a bed to sleep on and food for them to eat and be full. I won’t discuss the extravagances we have in the form of designer clothes, purses, glasses, cars or shoes. Let’s strip it to down to the most basic things in the form of electricity, water, gas, shelter and food. Without a vehicle, how would you get to work, to earn the money, to pay for utilities, food and shelter? Now, think of those times when utilities are temporarily cut off because of something that has happened on the providers’ side or due to a storm. Can you remember how you became upset or frightened you became over your uncertainty about when it would come back on? Maybe it was out for a few hours, days or even weeks. How did you stay warm or cool? How did you eat? A lot of times it was because of the kindness of strangers. Business owners procuring generators to open their doors and give people a place of refuge and a place to eat. Clothes were washed with the kindness of strangers that allowed others to use washing machines and dryers.

It’s this same kindness that gives me hope. Hope that one day people in this great nation will fully open their hearts and give more than they receive and to give to those who can never repay them. You see, I give most to those who can never repay me. Why do I do this? Because I have received the kindness that I’m talking about. I have lived in places that really should have been condemned because it was all I could afford. I have been on welfare and I have partaken in the food stamp program. I know what it’s like to worry over how I am going to pay to just keep the utilities on. I have had utilities cut off because I didn’t have the money to pay them. I know the pain of not having enough food. I have watched my children eat and still be hungry all while I did not eat because there wasn’t enough. It would have taken food away from my kids, so I went hungry…many, many times. I know about the Angel Tree program at Christmas because my children have been the recipients. Strangers bought clothing and toys for my children without knowing anything other than their clothing sizes, what items of clothing they most needed and what toys did they most want. I have wrapped these things, in secret, and placed them under the small Christmas tree and watched their excitement over JUST having something waiting for them. They didn’t care what they got, they were just excited to have SOMETHING.

I know the kindness of strangers who know nothing about my individual circumstances. They never asked, they simply gave, knowing that I could not repay them. I thank these kind people in a way now that would make them smile. I am now that kind stranger. I give every month a dollar or two more than what is due on our electric and water bill to programs they have set up to help those in need with their utility bills. What’s an extra dollar on top of the bill I already have to pay? I know that someone, somewhere, is going to either walk into their office or call their number and try to get some assistance with their bill because, at that moment in their lives, they are struggling. I give food to local organizations that feed the poor and the homeless. I don’t know the people eating the food, but that makes no difference to me. I don’t need to personally know them. I only need to know that they are able to eat because I and many others like me have helped to ensure they CAN eat. My daughter and I have made up bags filled with essentials like shampoo, combs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. and passed them out to the homeless we run across with a simple note inside that reads, “God has seen you struggling and wants you to know that He loves you. You are not alone and may these items help you in a small way.”

With all of that, I have a favorite, and I have mentioned it in passing. The Angel Tree program that is run by Salvation Army. This is my pet charity. I save all year long so that each year at Christmas our family can pick two families. We always pick a boy and a girl, always. We get these two children every single thing on their list. Clothes, coats, gloves, socks, underwear, shoes and every toy on their list. One year, I chose the little boy simply because he said he wanted a model rocket. This little boy was meant just for us to help. Why? Because I am married to a man who LOVES model rockets, war games and comic books. Those were a couple other items this boy asked for. He made out like a bandit that year. Not only did he get the model rocket, but he got all the other items that goes with it, the batteries, the boosters, replacement parts, etc. He also got all the clothing he would need to make it through a cold winter. Last year, we got a 3 year old girl who wanted a play kitchen. It took me 3 weeks and visiting every last store and even driving to other towns before I found her kitchen, but by golly, she got it. She also got all the little things she could use to make a meal for her family, her dolls or play with other kids. Plastic toy dishes, cooking utensils, food, etc. She also got a baby doll and a play stroller. It was her little face that I wished I could see on Christmas morning. Actually, every year, I wish I could watch from the viewpoint of a fly, these kids’ faces. I also know that for two families every year, there are parents or parental figures, who will be grateful that someone took the time to give items that their child needs and/or wants. As far as clothing, we make sure we get them enough clothes that they can wear a different outfit each day for 7 days. We even get them one outfit they can wear to church or to get “pretty” pictures in. If we purchase items that need batteries, then they get the batteries too. I don’t do any of this for recognition. In fact, that’s why I love the program so much. It’s all anonymous. I don’t know where these kids live and the families have no clue as to who I am. I like it that way.

I just prefer to donate anonymously or if it must have a name, I simply say “The Bunch Family”. It doesn’t get much more anonymous than that. I’m not always able to donate to charities or to help someone out. But, I try not to worry so much anymore. I know that I am only doing what I feel I’ve been called to do at that moment. I’m glad that I CAN help now. Because, the Lord knows, I was not always able and for many years, I struggled profusely.

Don’t look down on someone who is less fortunate than yourself. You do not know the circumstances behind where they are currently. Ridiculing them for it doesn’t make them look worse, it makes you look extremely ugly. I urge you, if you are able, think of others and put their needs ahead of your wants. If you can’t donate items or money, or if you don’t want to, I beg of you to donate your time in a soup kitchen or something similar. Give without expecting to receive. You won’t be sorry.