Have you ever had an anonymous, random act of kindness done to you? Yesterday as I was getting some work done in and around the house, I was feeling a bit like Cinderella, and I started talking to our heavenly Father about how I was feeling. You know those times when you feel like God is far away, but in your head you know He’s always close by, because Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us? That’s how I was feeling.
To my surprise a car pulled up, and a lady came out and asked, “René?”
“Yes, I’m René,” I responded as I looked on with curiosity.
She opened the back door of her car and pulled out a HUGE bouquet of balloons. “Are those for me?” I inquired with bewilderment.
“Yes, they are.”
I was so touched, tears welled up in my eyes, and I had to keep myself from crying.
“Is there a card?”
“Yes, on one of the top balloons.”
The card read, “Rene, You have been randomly selected for a happy Saturday Bouquet! Please pay it forward. — [name of local balloon shop]”
“Wow! Who could I pay it forward to?” I wondered, “And is this something [the local balloon shop] actually does, or did someone I know send it anonymously?”
I thought of a friend, who has been homebound and in pain, and after taking pictures and posting what happened on Facebook, I loaded the balloons into my car and took them over to her. She was so surprised and happy, not only to receive the huge bouquet of colorful balloons but also to have some company, so I was doubly blessed!
Thank you, Father, for putting it on someone’s heart to send the balloons to me and brighten my day when I was feeling a bit lonely. Thank you, too, Anonymous, not only for such a wonderful gift, but also for prompting me to pay it forward, so that someone else could be blessed as well. What a great idea!
If you liked this, you might also like… God Danced?
Rene Yoshi
Sweet Rains 
November 16th, 2014 at 6:33 pm
Rene, all of us have experienced that ‘Cinderella Syndrome’; draining isn’t it? But, God’s Grace is never random, nor is it coincidental. Just this past week, about 48 hours ago, I was reminded that our Father’s Perfect Timing is just that – PERFECT. Having reached a point of helplessness after years of praying about someone, His timing in answer proved flawless. He answered in an astonishingly unexpected way and then to my shock, discovered He had been working at my request all along. How humbling! I’m sure, by now, your readers and participants know and understand – it isn’t about us and our petty worries and our feelings of being forgotten. It is about HIM and His Glory. And in those unexpected and wonderful moments He draws back the curtain WE have raised to let US know, He is there, He cares and He is worthy of our love, worship and intimate relationship.
Your blog was so timely. Thank you. And thank you for your part in His answer to ME. But that is another story, right?
November 17th, 2014 at 9:27 am
Yes! That God’s acts are never random was actually the main point. I don’t believe in coincidences, and as you have experienced recently, even when we don’t know why we are going through something, it is extremely cool when we realize how God has been using things to prepare us for something else later. It is, indeed, humbling. Thank you, Scott!
November 16th, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Paying it forward dwells in the heart, stirs in the mind and then is accomplished by the deed. It is a principle of the bible that has found a new expression for encouragement.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing
1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
Hebrews 10:24 ESV
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
Proverbs 27:17 ESV
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 12:25 ESV
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
November 17th, 2014 at 9:39 am
What great verses! So apropos! One of the things I appreciate about the Apostle Paul is how he could both instruct and encourage. Take 1 Thessalonians 5:11 above for example. He instructed them to encourage and build one another up, but he also acknowledged that they were already doing it. It is discouraging when people act as if we are always missing the mark and not doing what we’re supposed to be doing. Those who lead others need to realize, as Paul obviously did, that people will do more for a longer period of time when they are encouraged rather than guilt manipulated into doing something. As Proverbs 12:25 above says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
The joy of the Lord is our strength!
November 16th, 2014 at 10:58 pm
Rene, I can understand your feelings of God is far away, but in my head I know He¡¯s always close by,
>
November 17th, 2014 at 9:40 am
Thank you, Tienny! 🙂
November 17th, 2014 at 2:18 pm
Rene 🙂 you are welcome
November 17th, 2014 at 2:37 pm
And I happen to receive a random kindness when it was my first time to inform the government about my pay. I don’t know I need to do so. Then I received a fine letter to immediately inform the government. My sister was shocked and advised me to go the government department by taxi next morning.
Upon reaching there, before I press the queue machine, suddenly, a guy gave me a crumpled small paper then walked away. unfolding it, I was shocked it was a queue number and I want to call the guy. But an officer saw that my queue number was called and led me to the table. Therefore, I told the officer it was my first time and didn’t know what to do. Thank God and thankful for the officer to guide me by asking questions and fill in the form. So glad the fine was waived and return home. My sister was relieved.
I have been wanting to say thank you to the guy who passed me the crumpled notes, but don’t have the chance.
November 18th, 2014 at 11:33 am
Awww… what a blessing! Thank you for sharing your story, Tienny!
November 19th, 2014 at 4:23 pm
Rene, you are welcome 🙂 I am thanking God for His kindness and thankful for that stranger whom I ought to say thank you without having the chance to do so due to being so anxious.
November 19th, 2014 at 9:53 pm
Wouldn’t it be cool if that person stumbled across this blog and saw your comment? Stranger things have happened.
November 20th, 2014 at 5:11 pm
It would be cool and thank God for that. I hope such things happen. 🙂 Rene, thank you.
November 17th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
What a lovely post Rene finishing with the visit to your friend. I would say that was a good day all round. xox ❤
November 20th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
Beautiful beautiful Post Rene’
November 20th, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Thank you, Hubert!
November 20th, 2014 at 10:39 pm
Rene’ you are welcome to visit my blog if you like
have some good stuff there, I think you might like.
November 20th, 2014 at 10:40 pm
I will do that now. I just returned home, and I was just starting to compose an email to you.
November 20th, 2014 at 10:47 pm
oh that would be nice Id like that thank you
November 26th, 2014 at 1:38 pm
That’s pretty cool…gives me an idea…it’s been awhile since I’ve surprised her:)
But in this case chocolates also.
a.g.
November 26th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
Yes, chocolates are nice, too!
November 27th, 2014 at 12:54 am
I love it when God moves and you can see things unfolding all around you. When that’s happening, I can’t sit still, I’ve got to be a part of it, which is why I can understand your immediate desire to pay it forward and do your part in keeping that wave of love moving. It all worked out so well. You have a great day, and God bless.
November 27th, 2014 at 1:00 am
I agree! Thank you so much!
December 7th, 2014 at 9:03 pm
[…] recent conversation with a friend concerning my blog post about anonymously receiving a large bouquet of balloons reminded me of a joke I had once heard from […]