I had a difficult time identifying someone to give this money to. I considered finding a pan-handler or someone who just looked like they needed it. I thought about going to a grocery store, and buying someone’s groceries. But a friend advised me, “Carry it with you for the weekend, and wait for the spirit to move you.” So I carried $100 with me everywhere over the weekend. Sunday morning, I walked into church feeling a little anxious about finding the right person to give the money to. An acquaintance stopped me and asked, “Do you know Kathy Brown? I am supposed to meet her here—I’m going to do her makeup for Dia de Los Muertos. She’s supposed to pay me, so I really need to find her.” The young woman wandered off to find Kathy.

Throughout the service, my mind kept returning to this acquaintance. She had been getting on my nerves lately, and I asked to see the way to understanding her, and to being less irritable with her. During a small break in the service, she came over to say goodbye, “I have to leave a little early to get my son.” She hugged me, and out of nowhere said “I love you.” Suddenly, I imagined how difficult things must be for her right now. She is a single mom, who is going through an ugly divorce. This fall is her first semester back in school in over a decade. She’s so focused on her education that she cannot work. Her ten year old son has a physical disability, and has many medical needs along with it. I have no idea why the thought hadn’t occurred to me before, but I realized that this woman could greatly benefit from this money.

Not wanting to lose the opportunity, I rushed to catch her in the lobby. I asked her to come outside and speak with me for a minute. She was very confused—we got outside and she asked “What’s going on? Is everything okay?” I smiled, and told her I’d been given a gift; I had $100 to give to someone who needs it more than I do. As I held out the money to her, I could see her trying to process what I’d said. Quickly, her eyes filled with tears, she began to laugh and she pulled me into another hug. “Thank you, thank you, oh, thank you,” she said. “My son has been asking me to take him to an event for his birthday, and I had no idea how I was going to do that. With this money, not only can I take him, but I can also buy food for this week.” Her laughter was contagious—I found myself grinning, too. I could anticipate the little boy’s face when he learned of his birthday surprise. I left my friend on cloud nine, and I tip-toed back into the church. I felt incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity to allow this family such joy.

-Jessica E.