Have you ever paid a bill and accidentally inverted the numbers?   You know what I mean:  say the bill reads we owe $232.00 and we send a check for $223.00.  Well, that's what I did recently with a doctor's bill.  An innocent mistake I'll assure of you that.  When the statement came in the mail that I owed  an additional $18, quite honestly, I was not too happy.  I was upset that I had to pay yet another bill after I thought all was settled.  So, I called the payment center and asked for clarification.  Surprise, surprise.  It was my fault indeed!  Boy, did I feel silly and ashamed.  Silly that I could do such a thing and upset that I initially blamed the hospital billing department. 

So the other day, I sat down to write out a check and put it in the mail.  Problem was that the second statement I received didn't have a return self-addressed envelope and I had no idea where to send payment.  I called the billing office yet again and was greeted by a rather soft-spoken woman who was terribly sweet and kind.  She asked for the account number.  After a short wait and some recorded music to listen to, she returned to the phone and politely informed me that there was no longer a balance.  What?  I was confused.  I told her that I had a statement for $18.00 and I'd like to make payment for services rendered.  She assured me my payments have all been made and that the current balance is indeed at zero.  Zero?  What about the $18.00?  She told me that the balance had been 'wiped clean.'  I no longer had to make any additional payments.  Hur-rah!  Yes, it's only $18.00 but it was the act itself that really brought a smile to my face.  Was it my good credit rating or that the hospital felt my $18.00 was not going to make or break them?  Who knows.  I'd like to think the hospital was extending me an act of kindness and whether or not this is the case, I'll stick with this conclusion.

Acts of kindness are meant to be extended and shared with others.  Acts of kindness received make wonderful gifts to be shared and offered to others in return.  St. Paul quotes Jesus with the statement: "it is more blessed to give than to receive."  (Acts 20: 35)  This is indeed a mandate all Christians are called to live by.  For me, when I'm extended a kindness I share that kindness and make it a gift.  And there's nothing wrong with feeling good for doing something nice.  Sure beats feeling badly or lousy because we did something wrong or failed to share our good fortune and blessings, right?   

We at St. Nicholas are a blessed community.   Our parish family continually shares and provides what our church needs.  The church in turn provides and shares blessings, grace, communal worship, fellowship, friendship, the Sacred Word of God and the gifts of Jesus' body and blood at the altar.  The church could not provide these blessings were it not for the kindnesses shown and shared with the church by her faithful and loving community.  Our church receives and our church gives.  This is a two-way relationship that is paved with love, kindness and guided by the Holy Spirit. Let me tell you, it is a joy to be part of this relationship, a member of this community of faith and part of the very Body of Christ.  And I'm even happier in the knowledge that surrounding me are all of you...my sisters and brothers in faith.  Now you are the gift that keeps on giving.  What a blessing you are all. 

For all our St. Nicholas community members who are under the weather and in need of healing and prayers:  may they find peace and be blessed with sound and better health:  Holly, Karen, Sharon, Vivian, Jill, Vernon, Connie Nicholson, Marica Kizior, Joanne Mangiaracina, Fran Baylor, Kesha, Mary Gans, Eunice Dohra, K.C., Emily & Dick Day, Dale Rickey,  Stanko Begonja, Phil Cooper, Tim Laughlin, Jackie, Chris, Cathy Walters, Carrie, Tim, Pat and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.