Pay It Forward

Well, today has been my lucky day!

I decided, spur of the moment, to get my hair cut. When I got to SuperCuts (yes, I go there... it's awesome!) I decided to get highlights. I didn't know how much they cost so I told the lady what exactly I wanted. She told me it would be $85 or $130 for my whole head. I called my mom because I was thinking, "that's way too much money," and I figured I'd get out of it by blaming my mom, that way I wouldn't hurt the lady's feelings.

I told her I would just get my haircut and no coloring. So a client next to me, getting her hair dyed, called my hair dresser aside for a second. She came back and said, "let's pick out your color!" I reminded her I decided against getting the color and she told me, "don't worry about it. It's being taken care of." I was shocked. "What do you mean," I asked her with a smile on my face. "Have you ever heard of Pay It Forward?" I was so confused so I said yes, not actually knowing.

So I payed $15 for low lights and a trim. I could not believe the generosity of the client next to me. I hadn't spoken to her... I hadn't even paid her a glance when I went and sat down in my chair. Yet this woman felt the urge to pay for my low lights for me? Why? I'll never know. I'll ask her in heaven.

About 10 minutes ago, I went and drove to Sonic to grab some dinner. (I missed dinner because I was getting my hair done.) I was sitting in my car thinking, I hope this person at the window doesn't look at me too much. I hate going places without make up (especially as of late because my face is really broken out.) Well, the girl at the window greeted me with a sweet smile. After I payed she said, "do you want a root beer float for free? We have an extra one." I told her absolutely and thank you very much! She then told me, "I've been looking for the right person to give this to." How cool is that?

Today has been a nice day. Very happy and uplifting.

I intend to "pay it forward" within this week, if I can help it. I prayed for an experience like this but I didn't know I would be rewarded before I even got the chance to do an act of kindness.

One last thing and I promise I'll close this up...

I got this new book a week ago called Keepers of What Matters Most- A Young Woman's Guide to Living the Values. It has all the young women values in it (including virtue!) and it tells a scripture story and a... modern day story. I'm not sure if that's the right word. You get my point, I assume.

One of the stories I read had made me pray for this experience.

"A Great Woman- Keeper of Good Works

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about a woman whose name we do not know. She is known simply as a great woman.

Here is how the story goes.

Elisha was a prophet of the Lord. Every time he visited the city Shunem, he would pass by the home of a great woman who would offer him bread. One day this great woman said to her husband, 'Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually' (2 Kings 4:9)

Right away we learn two things about this woman. First, we knew that Elisha was a holy man, and second, we learn that he came to her house continually. So, if we want to be known as a great woman, what are two things we need to do? Recognize the prophet today as a holy man, and invite him into our house continually. Now, most likely the prophet will not visit your home. But when we listen to general conference or read his words in the Ensign or the New Era, he is visiting our home, just like Elisha visited the woman in this story.

One day the woman asked her husband if they could make a place for the prophet to stay. Nothing fancy- a little chamber with a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick. (It is important to note that what she offered did not require a lot of money, time, or great talent. She simply offered what she had.)

And so the prophet Elisha came and stayed in this chamber she had made and he was grateful. He called for the man to come to him and he said, 'Thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee?' (2 Kings 4:13). He wondered if he should say good things about her to the king or even to the captain of the host.

But the woman answered, 'I dwell among mine own people' (2 Kings 4:13). Or in other words, I am happy just the way things are and I don't expect anything in return for my service. In our day, the conversation would have gone something like this. Elisha would have asked, 'What can I do to repay you?' And the woman would have replied, 'Nothing.'

This woman was happy to serve without a reward. I find it fitting that the identity of the woman who performed this quiet act of kindness remains secret today. We know her story, but we are never told her name.

She is known simply as 'a great woman.'"

The page after this story says, "Sometimes you may even serve someone in a way that leaves them wondering who you are. In those moments you will be remembered simply as a great woman..."

I love this. It has taught me so much and given me pure joy at the thought of making someone feel the way I felt today!