In today's tough economic times, with families and individuals struggling just to get by, where many people don't have a roof over their head or food on their tables, the story I heard today on the news actually brought tears to my eyes. Here in Oklahoma City, we have a place called "The Jesus House". It is a building that many homeless people, individuals and families alike, call home. This "home" survives on donations of private individuals as well as local corporations. As with any of the many other shelters that provide Thanksgiving dinners to all who cross through their doors, this Thanksgiving brought a special visitor to "The Jesus House". About half way through their meal, the door opened, and in walked a tall gentleman, dressed casually in jeans, cowboy shirt & boots, and a cowboy hat. What happened next was incredible. This man, known to no one there, pulled out a wad of cash, and just started walking around and giving people money. Some individuals got a few dollars, while others may have received a ten or twenty dollar bill. People started thanking this man, with tears in their eyes, and he told them - no thanks needed. You see, about 19 years ago, this man was homeless and had been blessed by finding "The Jesus House", and he just thought it was time to return the favor. No one got this mans' name; they said he left a business card, but no one could find it. The recipients of this mans' generosity were overwhelmed with emotion; one woman said that it was the first time in a long time she had $2.00 in her hand.
My wife and I practice random acts of kindness whenever we can, whether we are holding a door for someone, or helping take out the trash for one of our elderly neighbors, we do these because it is who we are. When something that you do, that may seem insignificant to you at the time, may mean the world to someone else. A smile is all the thanks needed. And that is my Thought For Today.
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