gifts of unexpected love...

Tonight when I got home from work, it was late, already mostly dark, and I was tired. As I walked up the steps to my apartment, I was thinking about what I had in the refrigerator to make for dinner that would take the least amount of time and effort. My neighbor had her door open and called out a hello when she saw me, and I popped my head in her window to say hi. Noting that I was getting home from work rather late, she offered me some of her fabulous homemade pesto pasta for dinner. Before I had time to decline, she told me to "go get settled in and I'll bring you some." This from someone who also works full-time and has a toddler...

It was a wonderful and welcome gift of kindness with which to end my day. And I am grateful for such unexpected kindnesses ... there were others I received today that made my day a better one--

• the bright smile my toddler neighbor gave me when he saw me tonight through the window
• 'real' mail (snail mail, that is! I do so love it still!!) from a friend
• comments of encouraging words and shared thoughts left on my blog by fellow bloggers
• a story emailed to me that reminded me of God's goodness and my blessedness
• two hours of my friend's time given to me out of her busy day

Kind acts. Not expected, nor solicited. Given freely out of generous hearts. These are the things that make each day special. These unexpected gifts. Tonight, I sat down and truly appreciated these 'little things' that mean so much. And I was reminded to be alert throughout my own daily life to see places and opportunities where I, too, may give a gift of unexpected kindness, of unexpected love...

And, though it may sound corny, as I write this I am reminded of that old camp song, Pass It On (by Kurt Kaiser):

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;

That's how it is with God's Love,

Once you've experienced it,

You spread the love to everyone

You want to pass it on.

• for random acts of kindness in my day (68)