Yesterday I had the opportunity to ring the Salvation Army bell at our local Kroger. I had to be there between 12:00 and 1:00pm and quite honestly it was cold and raining and a task I kept asking myself?What was I thinking? I woke up yesterday morning dreading it! I kept thinking all morning how stupid I was for volunteering and what a terrible day to be standing out in the cold ringing some stupid bell and how stupid it was to be asking people especially now for money.... End of story right.... This girl has serious attitude right..... Well the answer is yes I did.... I got to that little kettle yesterday and what a true blessing it was.... It seems as we have all heard Americans rise to the occasion! I had not been at that kettle for 2 minutes when the lady came out with her little girl whom both looked like they were in their pajamas. Neither of them were even wearing coats! She proceeded to hand the little girl some change. This little girl was starring and me and my bell with amazement. She didn't say a word no matter how hard I tried to get her to speak she just kept starring. She went over to the kettle dropped her money in and stepped back. Her mother started to talk about how bad things were right now she explained that her and her husband had been laid off and she told me that in 2 weeks she would be getting her children's presents for Christmas. I didn't ask where she was getting the presents. All I could think about was that little girl placing money in that kettle when this family obviously didn't have extra money to place anywhere!
I had a woman to come up place a 20 in the kettle and get this! She thanked me for ringing the bell! She thanked me for taking my time and she said I know times are tough for you as a Realtor right now and your ringing this bell really says alot to me... How about that?
It seems everytime in my life that I get down and I start thinking negative thoughts- God places me in situations and around people who in such a gentle way lift me up and make me realize things are not that bad and they definently could be worse!
I don't know if any of you will have to opportunity to ring the bell but, if you do - Then I say go for it! You may get something back that you didn't even expect. Ringing that bell yesterday gave me such a blessing and such peace that EVERYTHING will be alright!
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