I want to tell you about a friend of mine. A really nice “dude” that I have met a long time ago. He is the kind of person who is really humble and modest. He had a pretty hard life up until now, so, just like an onion, he reveals himself more and more each time we see each other.
We went out for a bicycle ride, and on one of the hydration breaks, he started talking about one of his greatest joys in life. I saw he was very relaxed, so my eyes and ears got bigger because I knew that something good was coming.
“Cristian, each month, on the tenth, I get my paycheck. Do you know why I am so eager to get it?”
With my eyes almost falling from my head and on the verge of my seat, I asked: “Why?”
“Cristian, there is a family in my apartment building. The parents are in their late thirties. The father works in a big plant in the city, and the mother is a stay-at-home mom. They have two beautiful children, a boy, and a girl, both under ten years old. Every time the children see me around the block or on the stairs, they greet me very politely and ask me how I am doing. They always bring a smile to my face. So, one day I decided that each month when I got my pay, I would buy these children something. My financial situation could be better, so I can not afford big things. But each month I spend around 40$ or maybe 50$ to buy something for those children. Last month I bought them some T-shirts, socks and a few toys. I go shopping with a big smile on my face. I fill a bag with what I think they need and want, leave it at their door, and just leave.”
“And they don’t know it is from you?” I asked.
“No. No one knows. You are the only person I ever told. And to be honest with you, it is a selfish thing. I get more out of it than they do. I get to spend time shopping. Choosing what I think they would need and like. I get to imagine those kids playing like brothers with the toys I buy for them. And I also get to imagine, with a big smile on my face, the conversation in the house after they find the bag on their doorstep. Can you imagine the children asking the parents if the pack came and who could have left it on the doorstep? I am telling you, Cristian. I am getting more out of the experience than they do. Best 40$, 50$ I’ve ever spent in my life. You should try it. But be careful; it’s addictive.”
I was blown away. My jaw hit the pavement.
“What inspired you to do this?” I asked.
“You know I’m not a good Christian. I smoke, I drink, I’m not married, and I spend too much time talking to all kinds of women. I’m not a good Christian, but I do pray to God sometimes. I pray in my own way because I think that each of us, beyond religion and church, should have a personal idea of what God is and a personal relationship with the entity that governs the universe. One day, when I was praying, it came to me that this would be a perfect way to counterbalance some of the bad things I have done in my life. So I just started doing it, and I have to say that I am grateful to God for giving me this idea.”
Inspired.
I went home inspired. Inspired to help as little as I can because my small act could mean the world to someone else. Inspired to talk to God in my own way because He created me, and He knows me better than I know myself.
Inspired!
Thank you, my friend.
With love, yours truly, Cristian.