“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” -1 Timothy 6:18-19
Cayla Chandara is a 22-year-old college student. Because Cayla did not want to leave college with a tremendous amount of student loans she works two jobs. She was a waitress at two different restaurants in a resort community, putting in long, hard hours.
One night, while working a shift at a local Thai restaurant, Cayla was serving a table of tourist from Australia. During the meal, Cayla had a conversation with the patrons. They had asked her why she moved to Hawaii. She told them that she was a student and shared her hopes for her future. The patrons were so impressed that they left her a $400.00 tip.
Cayla was overwhelmed by the tip that was more than double the bill. She wanted to express her gratitude. She remembered where they had said in which hotel they were staying. As soon as Cayla’s shift was over she wrote a thank you note and took it to the hotel.
The next night during Cayla’s shift one of the patrons and her daughter returned to the restaurant and presented Cayla with a $10,000.00 check. They told Cayla that it was to pay off her student loans. Cayla was stunned, to say the least. Cayla was told to, “Strive for her goals” and that is exactly what she plans to do.
Cayla’s story reminds me of just how powerful gratitude and generosity can be when practiced in our lives. Living a life of gratitude is a choice. When we say, “Thank You” we become more aware of the blessing in our lives and when we live a life of gratitude and generosity we become a blessing for others. When we express our gratitude we truly change others’ lives and ours. Today, Cayla is a different young lady with a vision for the future, all because of generous gratitude. Whose life will you bless today?
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
