I have a friend at the coffee shop who practices random acts of kindness each day. She's near seventy years old. She and her husband are retired. And they spend the majority of their time traveling to different parts of the world. But when they're in Tulsa, they swing by the coffee shop on cherry street for a cup of joe and a chance to share their stories with us.

I met them both in line for coffee. She purchased a muffin and gave me the top (the best part). Didn't know her from Adam. Her husband just winked and said, "she does that sorta thing to everyone. She's a beautiful woman."

How do you accept a gift from a stranger? It was hard for me to do. But after I got over my pride and took a bite of the free chocolate chip delight...it felt sooooo right.

As a Roberts (independent and head-strong) it is hard to accept gifts from others. But when I do let down my guard and enjoy in the pleasure of the gift, I often find the result anything but disappointing.

I realize mine's a long and rocky road to sanctification. There are days when I wake up and breathe pure evil, it seems.

All the more joyous to be on the receiving end of someone's act of kindness.

How much more does the father wish to lavish his love onto beaten and tired souls like mine?

How great is that love? My bones hunger for it.