Dec. 22: Christmas Kindness at Kmart

During the 2011 Christmas season at an Omaha, Nebraska, Kmart, an anonymous donor paid $200 toward the balance of Lori Stearnes’ layaway account.  As someone who lives paycheck to paycheck, that act of kindness meant a great deal to her.  Filled with the Christmas spirit, Stearnes used the money she had planned to spend on presents to help someone else.

In Indianapolis, a young father waited in line with his three children to make a payment on his layaway account, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to pay it off before Christmas.  As he stepped up to the counter, a woman joined him and told the cashier that she would pay his account.  The store’s assistant manager, Edna Deppe, told the Associated Press, “He just busted out in tears.”  That same woman paid for at least 50 people’s Kmart layaway accounts, gave away $50 bills to customers, and paid for a woman’s two carts of toys.  All she asked in return was that people remember her husband, Ben, who had recently died.

Commit a random act of kindness today.

For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.  (Luke 6:38)

Jesus, teach me to give generously to others.