On a recent 9-girlfriend getaway to Cape May on the Jersey Shore, our friend Barbie brought two large plastic bags packed with God’s perfectly formed seashells she had collected on her annual treks to Sanibel Island, Florida (considered the best shelling spot in North America).
Tiny perfect pastel coquinas, conchs, whelks, scallops, angel wings, and clamshells … perfectly intact. God is such a talented designer.
When normally most of us walk along the beach to collect seashells to take home, Barbie brings seashells to the beach! Since our Maryland and Jersey shorelines generally do not spit out such unique and gorgeous seashells such as the ones in Sanibel, she enjoys tossing them around on other beaches so beach-goers can be delighted as they discover these perfect little treasures.
Who does that?? Kind-hearted Barbie does that.
True giving is not being around to benefit from the reaction of a recipient or receiving kudos and pats on the back. True generosity is presenting your gift, then walking away, knowing you’ll be eventually providing a little thrill to someone.
Matthew 6:3-4 tells us: “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
Basically, let’s not do kind things only for publicity.
Following this wonderful example of Barbie as we fulfill acts of kindness to please God, what other selfless gestures could we practice unseen on friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, yes even strangers?
- Could we show up unnoticed to write in chalk HAPPY BIRTHDAY! on a friend’s sidewalk or driveway?
- Could we mail a ‘just because’ gift we bought because it reminded us of someone special when we saw it?
- Could we accidentally drop a coin on the floor of a store and leave it there for someone to find?
- Could we order and have delivered a fun something: cookies, basket of healing, chocolates, fruit, flowers, gelato, a get-well package, even a sympathy gift?
- Could we slip a few quarters in the parking meter before we pull away so it is paid for the next person who parks?
- Could we hand out the car window a pre-assembled lunch bag containing a few toiletries, snacks, tissue, water bottle, and a $5 dollar bill to a homeless person on the corner?
- Could we tuck a love note in our spouse’s suitcase before a business trip or in our child’s lunchbox?
- Could we leave a bottle of wine at the front door of a distraught friend?
- Could we donate food items in a collection box at a local store to help feed the hungry?
- Could we drop in a hefty tip in the jar for the human who served us a hot coffee, chilly snowball, or a delicious deli sandwich?
They say giving feels better than receiving. I’m a believer.
To all the BARBIEs out there on the planet who genuinely open their golden hearts to bring joy to strangers, who give back ten-fold, who pay it forward to the next person, who commit acts of kindness just because, who scatter love … may you always find the most perfectly formed seashells as you walk along. God placed them there for you.
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