I am selfish.
I'm not going to be beat around the bush here. I am selfish and I love stuff. I am horrible at not spending money (especially on myself). Yet, God provides for me time and time again though I do nothing to deserve it.
At work on Thursday, I bought myself a vest. I love vests and I didn't have one of my own yet. So after work, I calculated which vest, of the three I've been eyeing, would be the least expensive (taking my discount into consideration) and went for it. I rationalized the purchase with the usual excuses of "I've been good at not over spending lately," and "I really do need some warmer pieces." While I felt a slight pang of guilt, the pleasure of my new purchase soon overshadowed it. I left work wearing my new North Face windstopper vest and drove next door to Chick-fil-A for a late lunch/early dinner.
Now, the local Christian radio station has this campaign called the Drive-Thru Difference. The idea is to spread a little loving kindness by paying for the car behind you in the drive-thru line. The station's website has a note you can print out to have handed to the person you pay for. It says very simply that I paid for your meal because I care about you, even if I don't know you. I just wanted to do something for you. A little note of encouragement. I think about doing it most times I'm at the drive-thru, but for whatever reason, I never do. I usually get scared and talk myself out of it. I don't know why I'm scared of doing it exactly, maybe I'm worried they have a huge order, or I don't want to put myself in a place where I can't predict the reaction…too many variables I can't control! Regardless, this time I decided I would do it and here's why:
There is a big deadline coming up for all of my fellow January Racers. We have to have $6,500 in our accounts by December 18th in order to launch with the rest of M, N, O, and P Squads in January. I met this deadline a while ago and feel blessed by the comfort and security of that. BUT some of my squadmates aren't there yet. I have seen them asking for support, holding fundraisers, testifying that God will provide according to His perfect plan. And here I am, buying myself a new vest, comfortable in my fundraising, and chickening out at the chance to give to someone else.
So I decided to to something about it.
God has provided for me, so I was going to pass the blessing along and provide for someone else. I paid for the couple behind me in the drive-thru line. While I was waiting to order (it was a long drive-thru line), I prayed that the Father would stir in others' hearts to provide financial support for my squadmates. I lifted each up by name, thanking God for their beautiful spirits and the amazing additions they are to my squad. Praying also helped to keep me from chickening out again. When I finally got up to the window to pay, I asked the girl if I could also pay for the car behind me. She smiled (but didn't look nearly as surprised as I was expecting) and said sure, read me their total first, and ran my card for their meal too. I already said I wasn't going to beat around the bush here. I watched the couple behind me order. They didn't have some 10 second value menu order like I did (number 7, with sweet tea, half the ice). It took them a little while to order. So of course I was getting a bit nervous while I was waiting to get to the window (so I focused on praying for my squadmates instead). I didn't even really hear the total when the girl read it to me, I just nodded and told her it was fine, I would pay for it. As I pulled out of the drive, I glanced at the receipt. On it was a promotional memo, they had some special deal that gave them a free soda. So that was what the extra talking was about. Then it dawned on me. This couple had come to Chick-fil-A with a promo to get a free drink, but instead of that God used me to provide them with a free meal. I have no idea what the financial situation is for these people, but I can only hope I was able to give them some encouragement through my willingness to give, even just something so small.
While me buying someone dinner at the drive-thru influenced me, and hopefully them, it doesn't completely help my beautiful squadmates meet their deadlines. Last I heard, fourteen of my family members still need that last push. Donations need to be in by TOMORROW for everything to get processed in time, and that money to be in their accounts by the 18th. Please please please please consider giving to them. One of my squad's amazing prayer warriors and master encouragers wrote a blog with a list of all those still in need (and links to their blogs) http://blakemeehan.theworldrace.org/?filename=all-we-do-is-win-msquad-911-emergency
These people all mean so much to me already. They are my family and THEY ARE FIERCE. I know God's plan is perfect and He is faithful beyond our imaginations. Perhaps He is stirring you to be a vessel of His faithfulness, please prayerfully consider supporting this army His is raising up to carry His love across the World.
UPDATE: Since posting this last night, I have found out that three more of my squadmates have met the deadline! But that still leaves 11 people who need the help of a willing heart!
http://taylorlawson.theworldrace.org $200 away
http://gabebedford.theworldrace.org $600 away
http://kentcranford.theworldrace.org $300 away
http://brettefischer.theworldrace.org $1650 away
http://melissafriesen.theworldrace.org $1600 away
http://malerieparenteau.theworldrace.org $1500 away
http://mckennawilde.theworldrace.org $1800 away
http://brittanyholmes.theworldrace.org
http://rebekahperkins.theworldrace.org $1500 away
http://pamelagessler.theworldrace.org
http://jessieschwartz.theworldrace.org $700 away
