Inspiration

Pay It Forward - A True Story by Lorraine Niemeyer

This story is true and it happened to me..

One day after work, I asked my husband to pull into a local store so I could buy some cards and some gifts for our nieces.I got into line to check out behind a man dressed in a suit. I didn't pay much attention but then the woman in front of him started asking directions and he politely gave her all the directions. What caught my attention is that twice he said either God bless you or you have a blessed day.As a Christian, I thought - how refreshing to hear. It was now his turn to check out and he just had a gift bag and a card and tissue and some other small things, buying to wrap someone a gift.But, it seemed he didn't have much cash on him. So he told the cashier to check him out and he'd pay cash for part and part on a credit card. When she checked him out he was a little less than a dollar short and started to scan his credit card. "Stop" I said, "Don't scan your credit card for that dollar" and so I handed the cashier a dollar. He looked over at me and I said "no, it's nothing - I'm just trying to get out of debt and I hate to see anyone using a card for anything." He thanked me and "blessed" me too.

The cashier was surprised. I'm not sure if she was surprised because I did that or because she didn't expect me to help him or if it was because he was in a very nice suit and I was there in jeans and a t-shirt - I'm not sure, but when she gave the little change back from my dollar, she held my hand and told me that that was so unexpected of me and told me that I would be truly blessed for the act I just did. I just smiled and said "well I hope so -I could use some blessings!" So just then she told me my total which was around $6.00. As I reached in my wallet to pay her, a young man behind me said - "Wait! How much was her total?" The cashier told him and he reached in his wallet to pay for mine! I said, "No, you don't need to do that - - mine is much more than what I just dished out to help him." He said no he wanted to pay for mine for what he had just witnessed.

And here all along, I was feeling good by helping someone, but then when he did that, well; it was so unexpected and took me so by surprise. With tears in my eyes, I gave him a hug.I always try to do little things that I can, but have never had anyone do anything like that for me.I was speechless.As I walked to my car just amazed at God's love that had just been shown, I wondered what the cashier must be thinking of what she just witnessed in front of her.I cried when I told my husband because I just felt right there, right then, in a world where there is so much going bad, I witnessed God's love.

I went home that night and blogged about it and challenged anyone reading it to do the same.To do something small for someone else and see the difference it makes in your life as well as theirs.Of course my blog only has a couple of followers, but I had to get this story out! That young gentleman does not know how much he touched my heart by following my example. I'll never forget it.So, why not do something? Pay a toll for the car behind you, offer to pay for someone's item they are checking out, hand a water to someone working on the road, pay for someone's lunch - - it doesn't take much to show the love of God.

Lorraine Niemeyer

Lorraine lives in a little town in Texas with her husband of 16 years. If you would like to view her blog go to:

http://www.inspirationawaitsyou.blogspot.com/ or feel free to email her your thoughts on today's story to:

With thanks from the source: www.insightoftheday.com

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All rights reserved

"Going home"
by Bob Perks

I was invited to go home.

It was a Facebook page about people
who grew up in my hometown, Kingston Pa.

I was excited to note references to places
and people I remember from my childhood.
The little stores, the great pizza and the
Firehouse Dances.

That was particularly exciting for me because
my band played there for years. The music
we played was from our time and kids my age
came there to dance, meet friends and yes,
fall in love even at an age when you couldn't
really define love.

I picked up on the places referenced but I
didn't recognize too many names. Younger
people? Older? A mix.

But my section of town wasn't represented.

I jumped in on a few conversations. No one
responded. I went back a few times to
visit again. Then I began reading negative
remarks about the town. I began defending
them. I live in this area. What they were
portraying was wrong.

One person went as far as researching current
stats on population decline and business downsizing
to defend the attacks.

"Ah, there's no place like home!"

We were once called "The Valley with a Heart," after
the Agnes Flood of 1972.

Still is. Really always was. It's the people.

The group was now "People who once lived in Kingston,
moved away and want to prove they were right
in doing so."

They left home and from their new perspective
this old Kingston was a dump. "Houses
deteriorating", "businesses boarded up."

I now live just outside Kingston. I drive through
my hometown several times a week. I eat there
I shop there and I love it.

I know there are problems like every other town.
I know there are sections that changed and faded
from the glory of the past. But it's a great town
and a great area to work, play and raise a family in.

No, it's not the "Mayberry" they remembered.
Few places are.

I decided to defend my hometown. I got slammed
by the very people who claimed it as their own, too.

The difference is they moved away. Note they still
come home once in awhile. Why, if it's so bad?
They really just ride around looking for ways to
justify leaving the area.

But they still call it home. How could they? They
put it down, criticize it and in doing so insult us.

I just look around and see beautiful homes, wonderful
people, thriving businesses, growth, opportunity and
yes, some old friends who are also still here.

It's home.

I decided to leave the group. I really don't belong to any
groups. This was the first one I joined.

I went home and saw ungratefulness, arrogance, and
some people I never really would have liked anyway.

That wasn't my Kingston.

Maybe that saying is right..."You can never go home
again." Hopefully they won't.

I'm old fashioned. I believe in my hometown. It was the
foundation of who I am today and who I will become in
all my tomorrows. I look for the good and find it in all
things.

But don't bash my hometown!
Tell me about your hometown. I'd loved to visit with you.


"I wish you enough!"
J
Bob

I encourage you to share my stories but
I do ask that you keep my name and contact
information with my work.

If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational
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Waves of Tranquility by Francine Pucillo

Soft the scent within the air
That offers gentle peace
Flowing through a gentleness
That shares the soul's release



Waves in glow of candlelight
Will bring a heart's delight
Traveling in this special time
Will raise the captive light



Now to rest within the place
Where heart and mind will go
Standing near the precipice
Of movements too and fro


There upon the peacefulness
Of calmness we have found
Now the sweet tranquility
Of joy in life rebounds.


~Francine Pucillo~
© February 18, 2007
used with permission. A
special thanks to Francine for
the use of her poetry, God Bless.
You may read more of poetry
by visiting her site.


With thanks from the source: http://www.anchoredinhim.com/waves/tranquil.html

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