Strangers will remember you.

Matthew 25

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

It doesn't have to be a giantic act of kindness.

A guardian angel at the gas station:

"I was 40 miles from home in a high-crime area for a work obligation and I had driven with my empty gas tank light on for the entire trip there. I had $1.67 on my debit card and as I asked the clerk at the sketchy gas station I stopped at to put $1.00 on my pump, a man walked in. My card was declined so I sat in my car trying to find any change or singles I might have stashed. The man came up to my car and told me he put $5.00 on my pump. I don't know if this man has any idea how much he helped me but it got me home safe even though I cried tears of appreciation for most of my drive."

A quiet gesture of comfort and care:

"I'm a burn survivor. I was injured when someone neglectfully tossed chemicals on a bonfire. I spent a month in the hospital, had to have surgery, etc. When I got home I was severely depressed and struggled with PTSD. My mom decided to get me out of the house and took me to get my nails done and a pedicure. My usual nail girl was aware of the incident and was quietly asking me questions while I got my pedicure. When it was time to pay, they told me the woman seated next to me paid for my entire treatment and tip. It was a small gesture, but it made me burst into tears. I was so grateful. I never got to thank her."

A grateful tribute for a veteran:

"We went to have all-you-can-eat steamed crabs at a local seafood joint here in Maryland. It was a nice break from our grandchildren that we raise. A friendly gent next to us asked my husband if he was in the Marines — he was wearing a T-shirt with USMC — and he said that he was. They chatted on and off while I enjoyed my steamed crab. He and his family got up and thanked my hubby for his service. After they left, the waitress came over and said that the man and his family paid for our meal. I will forever remain grateful and humbled by this experience. We have paid uniformed military tabs a time or two, paid for the car behind us in toll booths or a fast food joint but have never had it happen to us. Amazing feeling. We should all do things like this when we can."

He drove out of the way for me, dropped me off, made sure I got into my car at the station safely and refused gas money.”

About 20 years ago, a man named John drove me home from the train station in the middle of the night. I had fallen asleep and missed my stop and landed up two towns down the line. This was before Uber and there were no taxis available. My husband was asleep so he didn’t pick up. I was all alone, shivering in the cold, and John asked me if I needed a ride. Naturally, I was hesitant but I surmised quickly that if he were a serial killer, stumbling onto me, his next victim, was an unusual stroke of luck. He drove out of the way for me, dropped me off, made sure I got into my car at the station safely and refused gas money. I will always be grateful to him and think of him every now and again

My story: we were on the highway traveling home. 

I could hear my muffler starting to scrape the roadway. I pulled over and saw that a bracket had broke. The next exit we found an auto service station. The mechanic told us he needed to finish the car in shop and would fix ours in about 30 minutes.

He even pointed out a restaurant within walking distance to eat. We returned to the shop an hour later, he was able to temporarily wire the muffler back into place. It would need a new bracket  No problem . He refused any payment, and just said to pay it forward sometime in the future. 

I have. Just simple tasks to help a stranger, our neighbor in times of need. 

Have you helped a stranger in need ? If not, make a point to do so in the next few months. You'll see many opportunities. 

Love your enepmies 🔗🔗🔗