“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 6:1
I cradled my coffee and watched as two tow trucks played tug-of-war on the cul-de-sac out my front window.
It was Friday morning after more than a foot of snow had fallen and a plow was stuck on the ice, facing the lake. Larry, who is in his 70’s drove the white Ram hitched by a sturdy strap to Rebel’s Ford.
Rebel, a former Marine who lives on the block is no spring chicken. He plows out quite a bit of the neighborhood and got his plow caught next door.
I enjoyed the drama, but knew that when it finished I would have to go out and clean off my car, so I took my time and enjoyed their maneuverings, sprinkled with salty mutterings and Rebel shouting directions to the nearly deaf Larry.
I tried not to giggle but the episode was amusing. I was half entertained and half dreading the cold job ahead of me. Usually, I need to shovel my way to the driveway and then clear snow out from in front of my car as well, before cleaning off the roof and opening a door to start it up.
I had worked until 11:30 the night before, and stayed in bed beyond 9:00 a.m. listening to the snow blowers.
The truck saga took 20 minutes, before the black pick-up lurched free and both men went their merry way – Larry into his garage and Rebel up the street to continue plowing.
I pulled on my long johns, my boots, mittens, hat and coat, grabbed my keys and trudged outside.
There sat Babe, my blue ox (aka Subaru Forester) completely clean of snow.
I was shocked.
After some consideration, I texted Brad, next door. “Thanks for cleaning off my car!” He came back with, “It wasn’t me.”
Uh-oh.
Who then?
I started to consider different neighbors. Jim the Pizza Guy? Greg across the street? Who? Certainly not Barb. I usually helped her.
This is the beauty of random acts of kindness.
I don’t know who did it, but I am suspecting everyone.
In my suspicion I realize so many of my neighbors are capable. And it makes me consider how I treat them.
I can only hope it is as good as they treat me.
If you know, keep the secret. That will make me grateful to them all.
I think your ending is my favorite part. Don’t tell me so I’ll stay thankful to all. God’s wisdom in commanding us to serve invisibly has more benefits that we can even fathom. It is good for us, to avoid becoming puffed up with illusory greatness, but also good for one another, as we cast an eye upon humanity with a smile of positive suspicion!
That was a lot of snow, even down here!
What a great story. Simple care and love for our neighbors.
If only….