So last Sunday I was still not feeling myself after what I can only describe as male morning sickness. After watching the church service by live stream, I found our pastor's challenge of extending ourselves in generosity intriguing. There were even green rubber bracelets to encourage us. I wanted to text the missus to grab me a bracelet, but didn't want her texting mid-sermon either. I decide I would grab one next Sunday. When my wife got home, she smiled and told me she had something for me.
Today, two days later, I decide to make a trip to the library before work. I wondered about the green bracelet on my left wrist and what would become of it. After gathering a few books I headed to the checkout line.
In front of me was another brother, about a decade-plus older than me, checking out a couple of novels. I figured he must either be retired or on vacation. I thought, wouldn't it be nice to be retired so I could have enough time to finish any novel. When I snapped out of my fantasy, I heard the librarian tell the man that he had four dollars in fines due on his account. It seemed to take him by surprise.
After a bit of back-and-forth with the librarian, and eventual resignation about the fine, I mustered up courage and told the librarian that I would pay the man's fine. She recoiled, startled. The man kindly protested but I persisted in insisting, and explained to him that it was to help me understand something my pastor was trying to tell me. He smiled, and relented. He told me he was a pastor himself, and that the world would be a better place if more people acted like this.
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