Having muffins with my family at our local coffee shop this morning, I noticed a homeless woman looking through the window. She seemed to want a cup of coffee, which we were happy to get for her. As I moved to the door, a man approached the woman and gently led her inside. He had the same idea. At the counter he asked her what she would like to order. “Just a cup of coffee,” was her reply. “And what would you like to go with that? A muffin? Bagel?” She looked at him with wide eyes then shyly said that she’d like a blueberry muffin.
When all was said and done, the woman left with three bottles of apple juice (“It’s good for you, so take a few.” He had said.), a cup of coffee, two bagels with cream cheese, and a bag full of muffins. The woman beamed as she left with her breakfast… lunch and dinner.
My guess is that the man didn’t run home and blog about his giving for the day. He bought the woman food just because he wanted to. No agenda. This month during ExtremeGiving, I had moments where I was desperately searching for ways to help others so I could report back to you. I sometimes forgot the point of the exercise. What I watched at the coffee shop today reminded me to live with an open heart each day (not only during the holidays) and constantly observe and learn from the kindness of strangers.
















