Sometimes a story leaps out at you, unexpected, and touches your heart. Not long ago I had two stories to leap out at me like that.
I like to listen to the Christian radio station, 94.1, K-Love, on my way to work in the mornings. One morning the radio announcer was talking about people going out of their way to be kind. The first story was of a family who saved quarters to take to the local laundromat and randomly give out. On one particular day, as they gave out their quarters, a lady began to cry. Inquiring further, they learned she was struggling to make ends meet. She needed to wash her clothes, but she also needed to fix her brakes. Even though a few quarters didnít seem like much to most people, to her it was a lot, and for someone to give her enough to do her laundry meant she would have that much more money to save.
Not only did this kind family give her money to wash her clothes, but they also found someone to fix her brakes at cost. I thought how great it would be if all of us reached out to others, unselfishly, like that family. It doesnít take anything major to make a difference in someoneís life, and all it took on that day was a couple of quarters. Yet, those quarters turned into so much more.
In the second story, money became a motivating factor in changing office behavior. It seems there was someone in an office environment tired of people complaining all the time. So, that person came up with the idea of a complaint box. Every time someone complained, the offending person had to put coins into a designated box. It wasnít long before the box became full. At that point, the money was counted and donated to a charity. Not only did the office get rid of the negative environment of the workplace, but the money went a long way to help someone in need.
These simple gestures remind me of the loaves and fishes the little boy brought to Jesus in the Bible story. He didnít understand how his small meal would feed everyone, but he did it anyway. Godís math is different from ours. We see two plus two and get four. He sees a few loaves and fishes and turns them into thousands. Itís only human nature to want to understand how everything works, but we donít have to understand everything in order to be used as a blessing. All we need, when the opportunity presents itself is to be prepared and willing.
I saw an example of this during the morning service on Palm Sunday at my church. Tornadoes and thunderstorms had done quite a bit of damage in the area the day before, so Pastor Joe Thomas asked if anyone needed help with cleaning up. Several raised their hands, while others said they knew of people in the community who could use the help. Pastor Joe went on to say anyone that could should meet at the church on Monday morning with their saws. I can only imagine how this one act of kindness will be multiplied in the coming weeks. Whether itís giving out quarters for laundry, or throwing money into a box, or cutting down a few trees, we all can do something. As the old saying goes, ěIt is more blessed to give than to receive.î During this Easter season, our hearts and minds turn to the greatest gift and blessing known to man. Jesus gave His life. What are you willing to give?

Dicy McCullough is the author of the childrenís book, Tired of My Bath, which can be found in local bookstores, including the Bible Bookstore and Creative Teaching, as well as, amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.