Paying It Forward — One Act of Kindness at a Time
I saw that awesome movie, Pay It Forward, and it totally moved me.
Not long after, I was at Bob Evans waiting to pay my tab. When I got to the cashier, she told me that my breakfast had already been paid for — and that I should pay it forward. I was like, wow, that’s crazy.
So I started looking for chances to do the same — anything that made me want to say, “aww.”
A Few Pens and a Smile
I was sitting at the bar one day, just finished eating lunch and ready to pay. The bartender handed me my tab and said,
“Here’s your tab… but I can’t find a pen anywhere.”
Laughing, she added,
“My mom came to visit and dropped me off at work. I just bought a new pack of pens, and they’re in her car… two hours away.”
Target was nearby, so I went and bought her some pens. I walked back into the bar, slid them down to her and said, “Pay it forward.”
Kindness in Small Moments
After that, I started doing things anonymously. I loved the idea of making someone smile — even if I never saw the smile.
- I paid for a pitcher of beer for two bikers.
- I covered a man’s breakfast because he was sitting alone.
- I picked up the tab for brunch for two sisters who were catching up and laughing.
One time, I was at the Nestlé Toll House shop, just wanting a chocolate chip cookie. In front of me, a woman was eyeing the display. She pointed to one that clearly made her day — her eyes lit up like, “yummm.”
She asked the cashier how much it was. When she heard the price, she said, “Never mind.”
There were only two cookies left in the case, so I bought them both for her and hurried out the door.
But she chased after me.
“Thank you! Thank you!”
I wasn’t fast enough — I got found out!
From Rock Bottom to Giving Hope
There have been many more moments like those.
But during one of the worst times in my life, I started thinking about all the times I had paid it forward. That reflection gave me an idea — an epiphany.
I went on Amazon and bought about twenty necklaces engraved with Jesus. Then I wrote out little notes — handwritten, personal, and full of love — and I started leaving them in the women’s restroom wherever I went.
Each note read:
HEY YOU! YES YOU!
If you are struggling, know that you are not alone.
You are an awesome person. You are loved.
You were made for a reason — a purpose!
Have FAITH.Please take this necklace — it’s for you.
“Hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy,
and with Him is abundant redemption.” — Psalm 130:7Please remember… Jesus loves you.
I left those notes and necklaces in restaurants, rest stops, stores — anywhere a woman might stumble upon them and need to feel seen.
It pulled me out of my own dark place.
It gave me peace knowing maybe, just maybe…
I was giving someone else hope in theirs.
