When It Is Least Expected

About 1 yr ago my wife and I had an experience that changed they way we view service.  We were returning home from work on a rainy day.  It was a normal day for both of us.  We would get off work and pick up our son from daycare on our way home.  We came home to find an envelope stuck to the door.  Neither one of us thought anything about it.  We would always receive mail either at the door or from upstairs.  We assumed it was an announcement from our neighborhood about an activity that would be coming up soon.  A little later on I sat down and opened it.  I looked inside and did not find an announcement.  To my surprise it was a large sum of money.  I looked on the outside of the envelope to see if there was any indication of who it might be from.  The only name on it was our last name.  There was nothing inside the envelope either.  I took the envelope to Kara who looked at me and was as surprised as I was.  We made a few phone calls to see if they knew anything about the envelope but no one seemed to know (or want to admit knowledge) of the envelope.
As Kara and I sat and thought back and forth who may have been so generous we were amazed at the fact that someone had obviously been thinking of us.  What amazed us the most was that it came at a time when Kara and I least expected it.  This family or individual has taught us that service is so centered around giving of yourself to others when they least expect it.  We still have the envelope. It is a daily reminder to us that service to others when they least expect it leaves a lasting impression on the heart.  It is a reminder that others are always watching even when you don't think they are.
I think we all have it in us to be like this family or individual.  It should help us remember that relationships, and the way we treat others really makes a difference.  Service is a reminder to us that we should truly care about the response that others give us when we ask how they are doing so later on we can provide that service when they least expect it.
Doing good is a joy beyond measure especially when it is least expected!