Touched by a kindness.....

I have to share my experience today. It's a beautiful Saturday in the south. Cool breeze, sunny skies and I got to sleep in. Earlier this week one of my co-workers called me up and asked if I would like a free ticket to a BBQ being held at a church just up the road from my house. I said, sure. I thought it would make for a great Saturday lunch for me, as both the kids had plans to be busy with activities. (Leah is hiking with a school outdoor group today, Derek is hunting deer in the woods with his buddies). I planned on a leisurely day, doing laundry and a bit of housework. I sipped coffee this morning while checking out my yahoo group and 2 peas. Then started in on my college son's laundry. I tided up the house a bit and then got ready to go pick up lunch.
I drove out of my neighborhood across the main highway and then down the little road to the Methodist church having the BBQ. I was greeted by a gentleman that said I could DRIVE THRU to pick up my order. How cool is that!?! I was met by a pre-teen sweet girl with a smile that asked how many plates I wanted. I said "well, I have a ticket, I guess that is for one". She said "Oh, you can have as many plates as you would like". To which I replied, "then I will take 2". Derek had just arrived home from hunting and I figured he would enjoy a plate also.
I drove up in the line as the same smiling girl brought me my bbq plates and a grocery bag with 2 small bags of chips and 2 slices of cake. I was SO touched on the short drive home that my eyes teared up. This tiny country church is not having a fund raiser, they are having a bbq. They are giving plates away to anyone that drops by. What a fantastic act of kindness in today's world! And what a wonderful witness this old tiny painted white country church on a little hill is making to others, not just their church family ~ but to anyone that comes. Especially right now when everyone's funds are tight. I thought about how blessed I am. Even though I don't have a lavish home; I have a cute small house that suits my family ~ me, my son and my daughter. We have a roof over our head that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. We do have food in the frig and the cabinets. I thought about all of those in the world today that are hungry. Those here in the US and other countries. Those that have suffered the pain of devastation at the hands of mother nature recently.
Not only did I have a 'free' lunch today, I have also been invited by my previous co-worker to her families house tonight for a get together. Just some other co-workers, family and friends. Her invite said she knows how crazy life gets close to the holidays, so they decided to have a 'Fall Fling'. I so miss working next to this wonderful lady! It will be fun to hang out and just enjoy the company tonight.
Both small acts of kindness. Both VERY touching to me. How blessed I am to be surrounded by a great community of people.
I plan to make thank you cards this evening or tomorrow to send to the church and to my co-worker. I hope that in some tiny way they will receive a blessing due to their kindness that has blessed me.