pay it forward

I'm feeling anxious. Some friends and I have decided to volunteer again to serve at the Salvation Army on Christmas day. Debbie, the person in charge of operations at the Lexington center asked me to come sing to their guests while they enjoy their Christmas dinner. I jumped at the chance, then invited some friends along to help dish out the courses and be real servants on the day that marks giving more than any other. Now we're anxious to get to work.

Not everyone has the opportunity to do something like this on Christmas day. Family and other things require their attention. And that is fine. Those obligations are important, and should be encouraged. But for those of us who have the chance to do something for someone else on such a special day, we should take advantage of it, ante up to the challenge, and thank God for the opportunity that we have to manifest the love of Christ to others who deserve nothing less than to be honored and served regardless of their label or status.

A friend of mine is the host of a local morning radio talk show. As a matter of fact, next to Rush Limbaugh, his hours on the air everyday are probably the most listened to in central Kentucky. He covers everything from local, state and national politics to University of Kentucky Wildcat sports to hot topics like replacing "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays." (He's also a national sports broadcaster that most college sports fans would probably recognize.) Dave Baker is a shaper of thought in his coverage area and beyond.

Not long ago Dave had a caller on the air who challenged every listener to pay it forward. I'd seen the movie of the same name several years ago, so I was familiar with the idea. But I hadn't practiced the concept routinely. I'm glad I was reminded of it again. It is a simple and kind thing to do - paying it forward. All you do is make the decision that you are going to help someone in some way, indiscriminately. No one is disqualified from your generosity. You do not preselect who you are going to bless, you simply say to yourself, "The next person I come into personal contact with, I am going to pay it forward." We do it all the time with our frustration and anger when we cut someone short or offer rude stares. Let's do it with our kindness.

I've paid for gas, bought coffee, covered an electric bill, treated someone to a meal, and even purchased a coat for a cold Salvation Army bell ringer. You get some strange looks when you do such things. I've been stared at and even been held in suspicion by a person or two. One guy wanted to know if I thought he didn't have the money to pay for his own food. He wanted me to know that he did. I told him I had been touched by others, blessed by the Lord and wanted to pay it forward. I encouraged him to do the same since he could afford to. That is the object of the concept. Just the other day I was praying in my car and told the Lord I wanted to pay it forward with the next opportunity I had. I turned on the radio and heard of a local toy drive. I thanked the Lord and went to Walmart.

We've all been blessed. Most all of us work hard, and some are able to do more than others. But according to what we can do, we should help the neighbors we've been blessed to know, honor the strangers we hope to know better, and reach out to anyone who has a need we can supply - even if only in small ways.

Let me encourage you; without hesitation, without prejudice, without pride, without selfishness, go ahead and pay it forward.