My thoughts kept going to, “What I really need is a cup of
cold water.” Driving home from yet
another weary day at work and too tired to stop anywhere, this thought would
not go away and was beginning to annoy me.
Up ahead I saw the familiar sign of a fast-food place and decided to go
through drive-thru and get a cup of water.
Pulling-up to the speaker, I ordered my water; nothing else, just my cup
of water.
As I reached the window, there stood the server holding my greatly
desired cup of water. “How much do I
owe?” I asked, reaching for my wallet.
The server looked at me a bit puzzled and replied: “Nothing.
We just give water for free.” Reaching
out and circling my fingers around the cool, paper cup that held what my
parched throat needed, I replied:
“Really? I’m willing to pay for
this.” “No ma’am, that’s not necessary,
he replied with a smile.” Thanking him,
I drove off and gulped down one straw-full after another of cool, refreshing
water.
This experience made me think of the simple needs of those
around us and how easily we could help meet them. Something as simple as a cup of water, when
so badly needed, brought me a sense of gratitude all because it
was done in the spirit of giving. Giving
and not expecting, demanding or requiring something in return. This restaurant knew that people need water
and they are willing to give it freely, even if the customer doesn’t buy
anything else.
As we head into this Christmas season, I wonder how many of
us are thinking of “giving with ‘no strings’ attached?” Will our list be limited to only those we
know? Or are we willing to step-out and
meet the needs of those who so desperately need someone to be their “Angel of a
drink of water?”
The Angel Tree Ministry has been offering a way to help provide
Christmas to the children of inmates for 30 years. Through this ministry over 1.7 million
children have received the gift of joy, gratitude and love in action. Imagine what it must be like to have your
parent in prison and your Christmas wish being:
“To have a gift from my parent to show my friends at school.” Receiving a gift, with a note from their
parent, provides so much more than an “object” to hold. It’s a confirmation that their parent is
thinking of them … they do care about them.
To help a child experience the affection of their parent, all it takes
is a donation from people like you and me and a heart for meeting the needs of others.
The Angel Tree ministry, in connection with Prison Fellowship Ministry, offers real hope and joy for millions of children; not
only at Christmas, but throughout the year with programs designed to meet the
needs of a prisoner’s child. If we want
to show God’s love to others, we need to be willing to be the one holding the
cup of cold water and not asking for anything in return.
On my way home, I stopped and bought my “Angel Tree Child”
gift for this year. An activity I have
enjoyed doing for several years. This
year though, it felt different. My heart
was full of gratitude for the kind gesture shown to me and in a way, buying the
gift for my “Angel Tree Child”, felt like a link in the chain of “paying it
forward.” Will you join me and “pay it
forward” to a child in your community?
