As I put my groceries in my car, the strangers approached, pulling out a hard-luck story, a bus pass and a bus schedule. The man was apologetic and embarrassed; the woman was pierced and downcast.
I hesitated. I saw Jesus in them. I believed them and their story.
How much do you need? Three dollars each for bus fare.
I pulled out $7 I had just gotten back in cash from coupons I had used. I felt like God had just reminded me that I needed to share his bounty.
They thanked me. Yet I forgot to connect the dots for them as to why I did what I did — to say a prayer for them or just to say "God bless." Next time.
Back in my car, I remembered the trip across town to the second-run movie theater about a year ago. I had forgotten my wallet, told my son we had to go home and hugged him as he burst into tears. A stranger said he would buy the tickets. "How much do you need?" he asked. Seven dollars covered it, and I silently promised to pay it forward.
There was so much joy in getting the chance to do so.
One more footnote — at home that night after the bus fare incident, I entered an online contest. I won.
I won two movie tickets.
I took it as a reminder from God that he’s watching, and that his abundance never ends.
