it was gaudy, it was flashy, it was flamboyant, it was showy, it was shiny, it was green, it was bright green, it was practically glowing green – it was St. Patrick’s Day and it was a gift – a gift of kindness, a gift of generosity, a gift of inclusion, a gift of good will, a gift of friendship bestowed freely upon me in the moment (seeing as how I was dressed in just jeans with browns and tans the only colors on me) she obviously saw that I was in need of some sprucing up on this St. Patrick’s Day Sunday morning at church.

and so I wore this precious gift around my neck and hanging down for the entire service, even when I went up front to sing; my pleasure at being the recipient of her kindness far outweighing any imagined embarrassment I might feel at sporting such an eye-catching accessory.  It was itchy and it was cumbersome but I fought against every urge to remove it prematurely; such a small sacrifice on my part compared to the joy with which she bestowed the gift and the grateful surprise with which I received it.

and so, dear readers, that’s the whole of the story – the small act of kindness that impacted my day for the better today.  the pebble has been thrown upon the still water, now let the ripples roll, let me reach out to those around me – with gifts of kindness, inclusion and generosity.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  (James 1:17)

sincerely,        Grace Day