Random Acts of Kindness, Potato Chips and More Grace, Please

This past week, my family enjoyed surprising others with random acts of Christmas kindness.

We had a blast leaving little gifts and treasures to be found around town. I loved watching my kids take delight in giving, but I was surprised at something else that I began to feel. Something I didn’t expect.

I was prepared for the experience to be fun – joyful even.

And it most definitely was.

What I did not expect was this stirring in my heart that did not resemble joy.

It started when my husband and I were discussing who the recipient of the grocery store gift card that we had just purchased should be. We scanned the store, carefully analyzing who looked like they could use come Christmas joy – trying not to make eye contact. We considered the woman behind the deli counter. She looked like a hard worker. But what if our surprise wasn’t as exciting to her as we hoped? What if she just thought we were weird when we walked up to the counter and handed her our gift??

Then, as my sons placed their quarters in the gumball machine, I loved picturing the face of a little one – delighted to find this hidden treasure. But then – what if there was actually a temper tantrum involved and our surprise was just another win for a spoiled child? That’s not nearly as much fun to picture.

This feeling that stirred in me was not one of kindness. It was more like fear.

I worried that our gifts would find themselves in the hands of the wrong person. Someone who wouldn’t value them like we hoped.

And, then there was the chance that whoever happened upon our gift of quarters in the laundry room might seize the opportunity and leave none behind for others.

What if those who were meant to be offered a little HOPE this Christmas, instead took advantage of an opportunity meant to be shared with others?

What if our gifts were not received with gratitude?

What if?

At first, I wondered if this fear I was feeling meant that this kind of random giving is wasteful – maybe even unnecessary.

And then this thought struck me:

Grace is risky.

Grace is a gift. And by definition, a gift is something that has not been earned. That type of giving is indeed risky. Possibly even wasteful.

And then this story came to mind.

Years ago, my son – then 5 years old – asked for some potato chips after we had finished a meal – even though he hadn’t finished his dinner. That night, for whatever reason, I chose to make an exception to the norm and allow him to eat the chips.

I decided that I could turn this unusual situation into a teachable moment. So I said, “Griffin, do you know what this is called, when you are given something you didn’t really deserve?  It’s grace.”

Griffin nodded, then proceeded to enjoy every last crumb of the chips. When he was done, he turned his blue eyes up to me and said sweetly, “More grace please!”

Isn’t that how we all feel about grace? One serving just isn’t enough.

Truth be told – I am served up heapings of grace every day. I am surrounded by good things that I did nothing to deserve and so often take for granted.

Maybe you have been served up similar graces?

Have a job that pays the bills?

More grace please. 

Have loving and supportive family and friends?

More grace please. 

Good health?

More grace please. 

Have enough money to put some gifts under the tree?

More grace please. 

Have clean running water, a roof over your head and no fear of where the next meal will come?

More grace please. 

Get to enjoy the beauty of yet another sunset?

More grace please. 

Friends – I gobble up grace each day like it’s the whole bag of chips, lick my fingers clean and rarely remember that it is just that.

Grace. A gift.

This kind of grace is offered by the most extravagant giver of them all. The King who risked it all to be born in a stable and rescue the world with His own life. Because He loves us.

There is no greater act of Christmas Kindness than this one. I was surprised by HOPE the day I found it, though I likely did not express nearly enough gratitude and did absolutely nothing to deserve it.

Because this kind of extravagant grace has been served up to me, may I never hold back in passing on kindness, hope, and more grace, please to others. 

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