Just Walk Across The Room - Stories
March 16, 2008
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This past Sunday (3/16/08) at Liverpool Community Church, Pastor Mac encouraged everyone to step out and take some action in loving our neighbors, the people in our communities. Hopefully you were able to come up with some specific & personal action items after the message (listen here if you missed it.) It would be great if you could share a story or two about taking action by leaving a comment below.
This is also the perfect place to share a story about about using one of the “This One’s On Me!” cards that were included in the Sunday service program!
Here is how:
Simply fill out the boxes at the bottom of the page (or click here if you are a subscriber,) if you want to remain anonymous simply write “anonymous” in the name box! Fill in your email address (this NEVER goes public & and you can even make one up if you want to remain anonymous from the church staff). Then, don’t worry about the “website” box unless you have your own blog. Lastly, write a little about your story of loving your neighbor! It will be a great encouragement everyone to read your story, so don’t feel like you are bragging, you are helping greatly!
“Let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good.” -Hebrews 10:24 (LB)
If you have a question just email Pastor Chris (Chris@LiverpoolChurch.com)
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17 Responses to “Just Walk Across The Room - Stories”
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Driving Directions
Sunday night, long story but had 10 minutes to burn as I was driving on route 31 when it hit me - now is the time to act. I tried McDonalds on 31. I must admit I was nervous, but I went ahead and waited for some cars to pull in. After a few minutes of waiting for a car I decided to circle the parking lot - still nobody, so I left. I needed gas so I drove down to Fastrak. All pumps were open, so I let the Spirit point me to pump #5. After filling up and paying for my gas, I wrapped the LCC card in a $20 bill and slid it into the credit card swiper. I pulled over to park and wait for the next pump #5 customer. I decided to go inside and pretended to shop - I end up picking out cottage cheese and a package of salted peanuts (minor detail, but read on). I kept on eye on pump 5 - over the course of about 5 minutes I had 4 possible takers, one got close, pump 6, but no pump 5’s. As I’m paying for the two items, the girl behind the counter seems upset - I overhear her manager asking her to stay till 11:00 - she looks tired and not happy about the extended shift. Putting our sermon into action, I decide to show empathy - I say, “sounds like you’re have a tough night ?” Without a seconds hesitation, She snaps back, “Do you put the peanuts in your cottage cheese ?” I laugh and say “no”. She seems somewhat amused and shares that she likes cottage cheese with pineapple. I concur and agree that pineapple adds to my enjoyment of cottage cheese. Overall, I enjoyed the experience - I had the opportunity to share my love of Jesus Christ, to extend an invitation to LCC, and had a good laugh over cottage cheese with the girl behind the counter.
I would just like to thank God for what he does through our church. The message was so on target for what I strive to do most of the time. Recently I came into some money and basically gave it all away. People who needed it very badly were amazed. It’s funny the day after I received this money I got a call that a family member needed help with their rent. I didn’t call my family member to tell them I would help or not I just went to where they were living and paid the bill. My family member was at the office with bags packed not knowing where to go. I just walked in and said you’ll be o.k. now. His face turned white and he started to cry. I’m really glad I could help out and it was so about God that I received this money and could do all I did for others. I told my family member to just thank God for what has just happened because without him I couldn’t do the things I did. I give God all the glory and hope he is pleased with me for things I strive to do for others.
After service Sunday, I decided to challenge myself to make a conscious choice to watch how people react when we do an act of kindness. I did what pastor did and went to a Macdonald’s restaurant. I went to the drive thru but of course no one was behind me for a minute. But finally someone came in behind me and when it was my turn to pay I said to the girl has the person behind me ordered yet? She said they did and it was around $5.00. I told her can I pay for their order. She looked at me funny. Her manager came over because she was new and laughed. She said other people have done that before. She thought I was doing the act of kindness thing from the Oprah show or something lol…………..I told her the only thing I ask her to do was to give the little card to car behind me and tell him God Bless. She said, ” O.K. ” . As I pulled up to window to get my food, Iooked back to see what the reaction would be and the man in the car kept trying to give the girl the money and after she told him what I had done he looked to see if he knew me… I just smiled because I know that little card will go a long way making someone think about how awesome our God is . This is a very cool challenge and I hope I will represent LCC and God the best I can.. Thanks and can’t wait to see what others do to meet the challenge>>>>>>>>>>>> Happy Easter To All……….
I shopped at Aldis on Sunday and was intent on sharing LCC’s love gift with the person behind me in line.
The person who slid in was a very large man about my age who caught my eye and smiled a slight smile. I pondered: Would he misunderstand my intentions? (Or am i giving in to my own uneasiness?)
I reconsidered, then handed the love gift to the cashier and asked her to chose who should receive it.
It was HER reaction I enjoyed. She said nothing, gave a single small nod and without fanfare tucked the cash and card under her money drawer.
My gut tells me she often sees anonymous acts of kindness. Isn’t that grand?
My family and I have been attending LCC for about a month and a half now with my husbands mother. We have really enjoyed hearing Pastor Mac and leaving LCC after each service Joe and I have felt so great. So this past Sunday came and we did as we usually do…we went to church with his mom and then took her to breakfast at the B’ville Diner. After quite some time after our meal, Joe went up to pay and I saw a discussion going on. I thought, since we’re “regulars” there that they were just telling him a story of someone near us. However, he came back to the table and told us that a young man, probably in his twenties, had paid for our entire meal!!!! Now remember, it wasn’t just Joe and myself, it was 3 adults and 2.5 kids!!! We were truly amazed and thought, wow….we didn’t even get a chance to do something for someone else before someone did something for us! There wasn’t a card left for us but we believe it had to be someone from church. Our waitress is one of our favorites and is a young woman, probably about 18 or so, so we gave her a nice tip since our meal was already paid for. Walking out of the diner, all of us were filled with something indescribable. The rest of our day was sunshiny and happy because someone did something so nice for us! Thank you to whomever!!!! Happy Easter!!!
At Aldi’s this morning I paid for the groceries of the elderly woman in line ahead of me. It took the cashier a second to catch on and the elderly woman refused at first. I handed the woman the “This One’s on Me” card and asked her to read it. Both she and the cashier were stunned. Their reactions were priceless. Turns out the woman was parked next to me. She took the opportunity to thank me again. This was a great experience and it put a big smile on the faces of 3 women at Aldi’s this morning, not to mention that warm fuzzy feeling inside that I expect will last awhile for each of us.
Wish I could have stayed to see the look on the waitress’s face when she picked up a 50% tip and one of our little cards. A little prayer goes with that card that she share what happened & many would look at our website & find our very generous God.
Decided to hit up Taco Bell during today’s drive home from work time. Well, I waited in the drive thru line for almost 10 minutes, no one came behind me! I guess the tacos are not as good a plan as Pastor Mac claims
So I went just down the road to McDonalds (near Rt. 11 & Taft) and right behind me came two teenage guys. I was scared to ask how much I needed to pay for what they ordered, I know how teenage guys can eat! Anyway, it was great to see the shock on the faces of the guys in my rear view mirror and the willingness of the cashier to give the card.
Just received a call at the church office from a very confused elderly lady who “isn’t very well” trying to track down who should REALLY have received the flowers left on the apartment complex front steps along with the little card “that should have told us who they were for.” I told her to just enjoy them along with her neighbors. So, if you’re out there & intended those flowers for someone in particular, you’d better try again, knowing that 2 other ladies have had their day made!
Don’t delay, do it right away. That was our thought as we left church and went to our regular Sunday lunch spot. We had a family of four seated behind us. As we left we paid our check and asked our sever for theirs. All we asked was she give them the card when they asked for their check. What a joy we felt, acting on Mac’s direction and God’s command.
This is such a cool exercise! I have used three cards.
One at home with the family - just did some chores i don’t usually do.
One with a friend - took care of a need they had.
And one at a fast food restaurant.for someone I don’t know - I just paid the cashier and left - it was fun!
The big benefit for me is simply realizing :
#1- 2 Corinthians 9:8 -= God has given me everything I need & plenty left over to share and assist others!
#2 Ephesians 2:10 = He has prepared some thing in advance for me to do.
So this concept of looking around to see needs around me that I can assist with isn’t really difficult - It’s an honor! And something I need to do all the time!
The best way to share God’s love with others is to Do it!
I’m going to work on that. Not just now but as a new lifestyle!
Missed Book Club Sunday night as my Grandson was playing Basketball for the Championship of the playoffs. Bill was tapeing the Game. Our team lost, but a stranger from the other team came up to me and said, did you tape the game? I said yes and then He asked if he could buy a tape from us. I said we will give you one, Our Gift To You. Gave me his phone number and called last night and is picking up the tape today. Is that a God thing or what. I put the card inside the tape. This person came to me.
After church Sunday, my husband and I did our usual stop at Starbucks for coffee. As we sat, we discussed Pastor Mac’s wonderful message. While we were thinking of several family members that we thought would benefit from a gift and the card, we also wanted to share anonoymously with a neighbor. When we finished our coffee, I returned to the cashier and purchased a Starbucks gift card. My husband returned to the car, so that we could make a fast get away. We wanted this to be anonymous, and did not want the recipient to see us :-). Once the young man behind the counter handed me the gift card, I then asked, “Can you do me a favor? Can you now hand this (with the LCC card) to whoever is at the drive thru right now, and tell them Happy Easter from a neighbor?” The young man behind the counter peeked at the LCC card, smiled wide, and and said “Absolutely!” I thanked him and dashed for the door, our quick getaway was a success. And I think we shared God’s love with the Starbuck’s staff, and well as our drive thru neighbor.
I just saw the coolest thing! Someone anonymously, but with one of our cards, dropped off a gift for our caretaker. (They had seen the gift online & thought about the needs of our caretaker.) Dan came in from lunch & was thrilled to find a gift that he’ll use probably much of the year. To see the man walk away with new, noise reducing headphones w/a radio on it was priceless! We all may be needing to call several times from now on just because he won’t hear his phone! Thank you to whomever did this. He very much appreciated it and so did those of us watching the situation.
Last night I decided that I would be a good neighbor to someone at the drive thru at Dunkin Donuts. I began praying before I fell asleep that God would allow the right person to receive the gift. I pulled into Dunkin Donuts and I was ready to go through the drive thru, however the line was pretty long and I was running late. There were no cars in the parking lot, so I decided I would go in. (I thought about what someone else did at Starbucks.) I ordered, then walked over to the where the 2 people were working the drive thru window and said excuse me, I would like to pay for the next car coming through. They both looked at their monitors and said which one. I should have just picked one, but out of my mouth came it doesn’t matter. They realized I was paying for someone I didn’t know. I paid for the order and asked them to just hand the person the card. The 2 girls working at the drive through smiled and I took off before the car pulled up. I’ve been praying for whoever received the card. It’s amazing to think a small gift can make a big difference in a person’s life!
So very cool is the outpouring of our congregation in this “pay it forward” exercise of Gods love. We were at Fresno’s in North Syracuse last night. We used the card there and the waitress told us we were the third people to use one at the restaurant. Hey, what can I say, we like to eat out at LCC. How awesome is that and what a testimony for the staff in the restaurant. We have also used a card a couple times at Dunkin Donuts. God is good.
See you all on the treadmill!!!!! Seems we have eaten out a lot this week.
My children and I have been attending LCC since the first of January. Just before Christmas, my husband (who is in the military) got sent overseas to Korea for a year. Anyway, I decided to use my card at a hospital last week in North Carolina. The kids and I went to visit my in-laws in Asheville, so when we got down there, I stopped at a local coffee shop and bought a gift card. Then, I went to the hospital and stopped at the nurses station on the oncology floor. Both of my parents died young of cancer, so I know what the families of cancer patients go through. I also know how well the nurses can get to know them. So, at the nurses station, I asked them to give my gift and the LCC card to a family who has had a tough time lately. They promised me that they knew of several families they could give it to, and they kept saying, “God Bless you!” I really feel like He has! I am so glad I found LCC- the message on Sunday’s always hits home and inspires me!
While waiting for a very early morning flight in Washington’s Dulles International Airport, I saw a young man sitting alone at one of the gates. The young man was wearing a US Air Force uniform. I was led to write him a note thanking him for his service and wishing him a Happy Easter. I asked a United Airlines ticket agent to anonymously give him the note along with the LCC card and $50. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the look on his face while the agent gave him the gift. The terminal area where he was sitting served approximately six gates. People were boarding cities from Toronto to Cincinnati to Cleveland. I’m guessing more than 25 northeast cities were represented by these six gates. Our Lord not only arranged for this young man to be on my plane to Syracuse, He arranged that I sit next to him for the hour trip home. I spent the better part of the hour talking to the young serviceman and getting to know him. He was an extremely shy 19 year-old who had recently graduated from high school. It turns out we had a lot in common since he worked on the same Lockheed Martin fighter jets that I had worked on. He had been in Texas for the last 14 weeks and was heading home (Gouverneur) for two weeks before shipping off to Japan for two years. Pray for him, his name is Jason. In case you were wondering, I never told him I was the guy who have him the note/card/money.