‘Pay It Forward’

You simply never know when a blessing will come your way. One day, I experienced something considered small, but yet so impactful.

While in line at a local restaurant here in the Fayetteville, NC area called Let Me Cater to You (shameless plug) something amazing happened. I’d heard of these occurrences, but this particular day was when I would see it for myself.

So, there were three people in line and I was last. But when I got to the register and reached for my wallet, the young lady ahead of me says, “Sir, your meal is paid for.” Naturally, I was puzzled and stunned trying to figure out what was going on.

See, the person in front of her paid for her meal and in turn, she paid for my meal. At that moment I was faced with a choice. I could have said thanks, and walked away or continued the kind gesture and did the same. But, I was last, there was nobody behind me and I could have used that money for other “things.” Choices…..

I gave the cashier the cost of my meal and said, “There’s nobody behind me, but this is for whoever comes in next.” While I was handing him the cash, the person who started all of these blessings came up and placed money on my to-go plate. She didn’t know that her simple act of kindness had initiated a domino effect of blessings. She was paying for my plate as well. So, I handed that money to the cashier and said, “Now the next two people are covered.” The couple who came in as I was leaving…didn’t pay a dime for their meal. This was unexpected, unmerited, and undeserved favor.

Do this if you will: find somebody to bless TODAY. When you find yourself in Dollar General, Ingles, Dairy Queen or any place even outside of Monticello…pay it forward. The moment will avail itself and when it does, seize it. Don’t advertise your actions, just do it. You never know who you are blessing, and you never know whose life you will impact.

What we need now more than ever is love, compassion, kindness and care. Kindness is not conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican, black or white, gay or straight. It is just kindness. It has no barrier, and knows no limit. Pay it forward.

You can’t change the entire world in one day, but one act of kindness will sow a seed that people coming behind you will benefit from.

Pay it forward!!

Phillip D. Marks, Sr.