Small town life...lessons in kindness

I know you probably get sick of hearing it but I think it's all still a bit of a novelty to me. After having been raised in DFW where people are still typically Texan friendly it is still a massive area with a ton of people with big attitudes....that are more often than not, less than good.

Here's a bit of really really rural twist to it. Last night after our exploration to the creek and lake and discovering all of the spring things that we did we headed into Ballinger for Sonic. I had no clue we'd be out nearly that late and by the time I looked at the clock it was 8:00! Way past dinner and now past bedtime too. No wonder Grant was wearing thin. Having absolutely no quick fixes around and not wanting to make an even bigger mess in the kitchen than what we had left in it when leaving the house I just praised the Lord for overtime money and went to Ballinger. The children were ecstatic. So, we get there and place the whole entire order for 5 kids and 1 adult. After reaching for my purse I had this horrible realization it was still sitting in the drawer at home. Not thinking it'd be a problem I just called on the speaker and asked if Brad could call in a credit card # for the order. But, no, they had to see the card in person. Um.......well, I kind of don't have it. So, calmly, kindly and peacefully I just said we needed to cancel the order...since it wasn't their fault I didn't have it with me. The girl asked, "the whole order?" Not having any cash I explained there was no way I could pay for any of it. She told me to wait and then came back and asked if I could go home and get my card. No, we live 20 miles away. She was gone a minute and then came back and asked if I'd be in town again tonight or tomorrow. I told her we'd be back tomorrow. She asked if I could just pay the 22.00 bill then. Not thinking she was really serious I laughed. She said, "Well, kind of like an IOU." I told her we could definitely do that and I'd even give her my license # if she wanted it. She said it wasn't necessary unless it just made me feel better. LOL! I wrote my name and # down along with where we live. She said that was good enough and they'd see me tomorrow!!! So, out came our food and we drove off!!!!!! That was a strange feeling, to say the least. The children were quite stunned that we got food when I had no money and didn't quite get the concept at first either. It was a great lesson in people's kindness and God's mercy. So, we bowed right then and there and Grayson, Evye and I each all prayed and thanked the Lord for showing us His mercy and giving us His favor even in the little details in life like dinner. Grayson said it was a great example of the Golden Rule too so that just opened the door for more conversation about it. I was highly impressed by how much wisdom he had regarding it all until he ruined it by asking what the 9 other golden rules were. Ugh! LOL! We were on such a good roll! That led into clarifying what the Golden Rule is vs. the 10 commandments. The children each prayed for her to be blessed like she had blessed us and that someone else would show her kindness like what she had shown us right then. It was an incredible opportunity to see them pray so specifically for other people and pray blessings over strangers that had touched our lives in some way.

And it ended that Brad didn't get any OT today so he drove in to take care of the bill. I was so grateful since it was one less thing for me to do. But, unknowingly, Mother was on her way in and after hearing the story she went by Sonic on her way through and took care of it before coming to the house. Kind of funny. If nothing else it showed them that our word on it was good...after having 2 people show up to take care of it. It was a pretty neat experience for everybody and such a great opportunity to teach life's little lessons that hopefully they will take with them into adulthood. I told them part of being successful when they grow up is being able to show kindness to people they've never met just because Jesus has showed them an everlasting love and kindness. And maybe through their kindness those would come to see and know the love of the Lord because of their kind and loving actions. But even if they don't it makes you feel better on the inside as a person. It is more blessed to give than to receive.