He’s a normal guy. A normal guy who cashed his entire paycheck last month for charity. He did it because he was ahead of his bills—for once.
At first, he was going to put the money into savings, but something made him do otherwise. Call it a gut feeling.
He’s a part-time truck driver and a night-shift security guard. He’s a dad with two daughters—he sees them mostly on weekends.
The first person he gave money to was a woman at his daughter’s daycare. The woman’s car had duct tape covering her passenger window.
“Here,” he said to her. “Someone told me to give you this.”
A hundred big ones.
The lady almost lost it. He didn’t expect the reaction—which was unrestrained hugging.
His next victim was an old man in a supermarket parking lot. The man was placing flyers beneath windshield wipers.
Our hero dug into his pocket.
The old man only looked at the money with big eyes. “Are you with the company who hired me?” he asked.
“Yeah,” he answered. “Here. The boss told me to give this to you.”
The farmer’s market, downtown—he wandered the booths of honey jars and fresh breads with his daughters.
A teenage boy and girl were playing guitars. They had CD’s for sale. They had young voices and real talent.
But nobody was buying. People only walked by them.
He dropped a tip in their bucket. Then, he bought their whole box of CD’s. The teenagers were so overcome they forgot how to hold their guitars.
And, for the next few weeks, he searched for people to give money (and CD’s) to. He tipped waitresses too much. He tossed money at men holding cardboard signs. He even tipped his mailman.
Then, it happened. He was at a uniform-supply outlet. He was on the job, making a delivery.
The woman was hard to miss, she had kids with her. She was buying scrubs. Her money was on the counter for the world to see.
The cashier watched the woman count quarters.
He took his cue. He threw his money down. “Here. Someone told me to give this to you,” he told the woman.
She almost fainted. She thanked him. She offered to pay him back. He declined.
She explained that she’d been hired at a veterinary clinic. It would be the highest paying job she’d ever had. But new employees were expected to supply their own uniforms. She couldn’t afford hers.
Something inside him was moved. He gave her all that was in his pocket. Every last buck and penny.
And here’s where it gets good. The store owner came from the back when he heard what was happening. He got in on the giving frenzy. The owner gave the woman her money back, along with several pairs of scrubs and nursing shoes.
The woman was too choked to speak. So her daughter spoke up.
“This is a miracle,” the daughter said. “You made a real miracle for my mom.”
Well, you should know that these folks are not miracle workers. They’re regular Joes with nine-to-five jobs, mortgages, and power bills. They’re people doing the best they can.
“It was just one paycheck,” Todd says. “But I’m telling ya, it felt like more. I felt like I was actually making a difference in this world.”
You were making more than a difference, Todd. You were changing the entire world.
By the way. Here.
Someone told me to write this about you.
37 comments
Billie Padgett - February 8, 2018 7:49 am
You’re addictive, Sean! I’m always afraid if I don’t read the day’s post, I’ll miss something really important. Glad I didn’t miss this one!
George Brantley - February 8, 2018 10:10 am
Sean, so loved this article. With your permission I would like to read it this weekend in a message I am preaching to my church family…it goes well with a message I am preaching on “What Matters Most.”
Very inspiring!
Thanks,
PG
Steven P Bailey - February 8, 2018 10:46 am
Beautiful
Susan Hammett Poole - February 8, 2018 11:06 am
I LOVE the fact that you highlight the “ordinary” people in life who are actually the big-hearted significant people, that is, the ones who make the difference on such a large scale in the lives of other “ordinary” folks. This morning’s story is a day brightener and more refreshing than you may realize. It makes me want to go out and be like Todd. God bless him and you, Sean!
Kathy - February 8, 2018 11:13 am
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Nancy - February 8, 2018 11:15 am
Love, love, love people like Todd that really get what life is all about – loving each other and lending a helping hand when you see the need. Sean, your stories are so full of the love in hearts of simple everyday people. Thank you for introducing us to them.
CaroG87 - February 8, 2018 11:15 am
Awesome!!!
janiesjottings - February 8, 2018 12:19 pm
A kind deed often touches many. Thank’s for the reminder Sean!
Jan - February 8, 2018 1:25 pm
Giving is so much better than receiving in every way. You give a lot, Sean! Thank you!
Sharon Hand - February 8, 2018 1:36 pm
Matthew 25:31-40. Jesus said”If you did to the least of these. You did it to me.”
Patricia Schmaltz - February 8, 2018 1:38 pm
Even when tears are dropping as I read… you make my day brighter. Thank you Sean. I think I”ll go find some money a new home.
Betty Cox - February 8, 2018 2:18 pm
Yes he was being lead by Father God and this is what I call “A God thing”. Isn’t it wonderful. I love your stories. Thank you for making my day!
M - February 8, 2018 2:22 pm
I love seeing people through your eyes, Sean, and I want it to evoke a long-term change in my life. I’m working on it. Thank you.
Marty from Alabama - February 8, 2018 4:05 pm
When I tell people about your writings and your talks, they always want to know where you find these people you write about. I tell them I have no idea, but I seriously suspect Someone sees that you run into them. Whatever, whoever makes no difference. You are proving that good still exists and people still need help.
THANK YOU FOR BEING THE CARRIER OF GOOD. WE ALL NEED THIS MUCH MORE THAN WHAT COMES OVER THE TV AND NEWSPAPERS!
KAREN - February 8, 2018 4:05 pm
I love this Sean, great story. Such a blessing!!
Thank you for sharing from you heart and about the love of man kind.
Keep writing, your gift is caring and sharing life with others.
Don’t know you but love your words!
theholtgirls - February 8, 2018 4:43 pm
Something that I love about these stories is the reactions of the receivers. They accepted the gift with gratitude (and unrestrained hugging!) Oh, Lord, may I be both a thankful receiver and a humble giver of Your gifts today!
Sean, thank you for giving us the gift of your words and wisdom. You are making a difference, and changing the entire world! ♥
Shirley Northington (Skelton) - February 8, 2018 5:26 pm
Wonderful.
Jack Darnell - February 8, 2018 5:37 pm
You know you cost me a lot of money at times! LOL
THANKS!
Jack Quanstrum - February 8, 2018 6:06 pm
Excellent!
Connie - February 8, 2018 6:18 pm
Heroes come along in odd ways. Thank you for telling his story.
Judy O'Bar - February 8, 2018 6:40 pm
Wonderful story. There is nothing more rewarding than doing something anonymously (in this case where the recipient doesn’t know you) to help someone in need.
Kathy Daum - February 8, 2018 7:09 pm
They Were making miracles. That’s what we’re here for.
Lynda - February 8, 2018 7:35 pm
I commend this man for his deed, especially in front of his daughters. However, I do wish he had put at least 10-50 percent in his savings account to show his daughters that he has a responsibility to take care of himself and his daughters too. It made him feel really good to do this, but perhaps he could also feel this way by giving half of his paycheck. I know I’m going against the grain with this comment, but I’m a pragmatic and compassionate person.
Dana - February 8, 2018 7:50 pm
Yes sir that is you!
Sandra Smith - February 8, 2018 8:09 pm
B.A.M. !!!
Awesome sauce ! ❤❤❤
Sue Cronkite - February 8, 2018 9:06 pm
What a wonderf thing to do.
Sue Cronkite - February 8, 2018 9:07 pm
Wonderful!
Sharlyn Hinz Prestage - February 8, 2018 9:29 pm
FABULOUS!!!
Twila Kilgore - February 9, 2018 12:35 am
Trying to write through tears. This is so powerful and uplifting!! Sean, you did it again!!
Marion Pitts - February 9, 2018 12:41 am
So nice to be reminded there are many good people out there in our world! Thank you@
Jody - February 9, 2018 1:47 am
Blessings given and received
Pamela= McEachern - February 9, 2018 1:48 am
I believe there are certain people that are sent to us to show us a better way, and I believe that is you. Thank you Sean and all of us that get a chance to help someone just because we can
Peace and Love from Birmingham
Deborah M Haddock - February 9, 2018 3:17 am
This is life in the South. The rest of the country thinks we are racists, but we take care of our own…no matter what. God’s love is for all.
elainenkarrh - February 9, 2018 4:18 am
Thankful for the Todd’s of this world,and for the stirrings of the heart..❤️❤️❤️
Teresa Butts - February 10, 2018 2:04 am
Sean, your essays remind me of pebbles thrown into a pond. The ripples reach out and out and out. Thank you for paying attention to the good in the world.
Ken - February 11, 2018 2:19 am
John from Alabama gave me this web-site and I am loving every bit of it. I am an Old,old old man. I will check with you every morning as he does.
Mary Ellen Hall - February 12, 2018 5:06 am
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL & HEARTWARMING!!!
THANK YOU, SEAN!!!