“The gentleman at that far table wanted to thank you for paying for his lunch.”

These were the words the waitress delivered with a big smile at lunch yesterday.

Having just sat down at our booth, I knew that I hadn’t paid for anyone’s lunch. Looking across to room to see who in the world she was talking about, I saw a friend of mine grinning from ear to ear. Not having seen him for months, we chatted for a moment, laughed about the joke and went back to our booth.

The couple soon left the restaurant and we continued our meal without another thought.

Until it was time to get our check.

The waitress asked if she could get us anything else, and when told no, said, “Have a great day!”

I asked for the check and she said, “Why, that couple you were talking to paid your bill. You don’t owe anything.”

We were bumfuddled! We didn’t expect it. We weren’t looking for it.

What a pleasant surprise. And I couldn’t even thank the donors for their kindness.

I read this early today:

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. — Colossians 3:12-13

And it reminded me of the simple expression of kindness a friend had shown me yesterday. It also drove home the point that I should always be that way – a giver of the unexpected.