We’ve all heard of random acts of kindness, in particular when someone in the front of a fast food line pays for the person behind them, and next for the person behind them, etc.  There have even been reports of these acts reaching 50 or more in some lines.  And it’s a lot of fun and a blessing for everyone involved.

HOWEVER.  The other day at work, when I was working the drive through, the customer at my window paid his bill, got his food, and was about to drive off, when he stopped and said, “You know, I want to pay for the person behind me.”  I asked if he knew him, and he said no, he just wanted to do it.  I took his second payment and he drove off happy.  The next customer pulled up, and boy….he was in a big truck, had a hat, dog, and gun, and was very big and rough and tumble looking.  He handed me his card and I told him he didn’t have to pay because the person ahead of him paid for his food.  He scowled at me while leaving his card stretched out and said, “WHY????”  I was taken back because of his response but I managed to stammer out because God loved him, and the customer and I wanted him to know that.  He still had his card out, and said, “that’s ridiculous”, took his food, and drove off without even a thank you!

I thought about that encounter for the rest of the day, and was reminded of what the REAL reason for those acts SHOULD be.  Usually when we think about that kind of giving, we picture grateful people overjoyed with the blessing, renewed with hope, desperate and on their last dime, etc.  And those are all great endings, but they don’t always happen, and we usually don’t hear about them if they don’t.

Which leads to this…sometimes we have a very rosy and distorted picture of what doing ministry looks like.  We hear “success” stories often in the ministry, about great rallies, great attendance, great worship, great everything.  And sometimes we get caught up in thinking that if it doesn’t end up “great” then we failed – or the event failed – or God just didn’t show up and work like we thought He would.  And that’s totally not true!  My first customer did what he felt led to do – even though it was at the last minute – and I believe God will use that.  It’s not his fault, or God’s, that the other person reacted the way he did – it just happened.  But it didn’t make the act any less special, or less fruitful..and if he ever finds out what did happen,

So when you are facing a “thankless” situation, or feel like you’re not being used, or get a bad reaction when doing good, please remember this customer…and keep on “paying” for the person behind you, and doing what God tells you!  Because sometimes, in GOD’s timing, we do make an impact…and GOD is in control of the results!