The rain came down in buckets as I pulled into the parking space at Publix.
“Annalise, can you climb in the way back and get the big golf umbrella?” I asked.
Before she could start, Zach darted out of the passenger door, opened the hatch and got out the umbrella. With a broad grin, he opened my door and held the opened umbrella over me.
So much like his dad, I thought. As Annalise and I tucked under the umbrella next to this 6-foot-3 man-boy, warm memories from not so long ago stirred up.
Dan and I had been out for our regular date night. We had a comfortable routine: I sat right next to him on the bench seat of his truck as we drove down to one of our favorite restaurants and caught each other up on his week at work and my week with the kids.
It was pouring rain that night too. Florida rainstorms come like clockwork on summer evenings and these are no light drizzles. They’re the kind of downpours where the sky just opens up to empty out the entire day’s evaporated moisture.
As we turned into the parking lot that evening, Dan pulled up close to the front door so that I could dash out. This wasn’t routine. Normally, he’d come around to my door with a big golf umbrella, just as Zach had done.
“Where’s your umbrella?” I asked.
“I gave it away. I have an umbrella ministry.”
“An umbrella ministry?” I chuckled.
“Yeah. I was driving home and saw this lady walking in the rain. She had her purse over her head but she was getting drenched. I pulled into the parking lot, hopped out and offered her my open umbrella. She smiled so big. And I decided to have an umbrella ministry.”
He said he’d already given away two other umbrellas. Every time he bought a new umbrella, he would see someone who needed it, so he would give it away.
And thus was launched his unofficial but intentional umbrella ministry.
A small kindness can be a big deal.
To see need. To give what we have without hesitating. To extend unexpected kindness and bring a smile to a weary soul.
As my husband told me about giving away umbrellas, neither of us knew he would suddenly pass away the next week.
As a widow and single mom raising our seven kids, I now see how a small kindness can leave a big impact.
Our world seems to be getting harsher by the week, if that’s possible. Tempers are flaring, sides being declared, opinions and expectations provoking offense and insult.
What if we extended the umbrella of grace to those we met in our day?
What if we covered over offenses with a gentle answer and irritations with compassionate patience?
What if we smiled more, thanked out loud and said things that make this short life deeper and wider?
What if we bought umbrellas just so we could give them away?
He who refreshes others
will himself be refreshed.
Proverb 11:25
Oh Lisa, this was beautiful. God’s grace is so like that umbrella. A cover of protection like the Passover blood on the door posts. How sweet your Dan was. I know you still miss him, but how precious to see him in the face and character of your children.
This also reminded me of a song we used to sing and do motions with the children and adults at my former church. If you can imagine boys and girls, older men and woman and everyone in between singing this song and raising their hands up and slowly bringing them down to their sides as the sing about the amazing grace of God, covering them…precious memories, like that umbrella reminded you. Thank you. Love you my friend.
Amazing grace.
How sweet the sound.
Amazing love.
Now flowing down.
From hands and feet,
That were nailed to a tree.
As grace flows down and covers me.
It covers me…
It covers me…
It covers me.
Precious words! Thanks for sharing
How sweet Lisa. Thank you for sharing your heart. It is a blessing to this weary heart.
God bless you.
such a simple, inspiring, practical lesson. Thank you for sharing this!! I love this!
That is just precious, Lisa! What a fitting verse to end with, too.
So glad you get to see your Dan in your big boy.
I read this aloud . Thank you. It’s beautiful. I hope my family can be as thoughtful and intentioned !! Xo
Thank you for sharing this, Lisa. I read it to my entire family with tears in my eyes. You and your family are such an inspiration to me. What a legacy! Such a simple but powerful gesture to share God’s love. Steve looked over at me and said, “You’re going to give away my umbrella, aren’t you?” Haha! I just might from now on. Love you, friend.
Love how God spoke to you through a simple, ordinary event…love how you listened…and I love how beautifully you wrote about it!
Thank you Lisa! This is a very sweet and special story! God’s grace is amazing!
Y’all are so sweet and encouraging. Gretchen, I love Steve’s comment – haha! Brinley, I am praying for you as you are in this storm. May you see God’s good hand on you.
Lisa – every time you write brings tears to my eyes. Everything you write is so encouraging, sweet, true, spot-on. You are such a blessing to all who read and all you meet. Thank you once again for a beautiful story.
Thank you, Annette for your kind comment. I never know … sometimes I just hold my breath as I hit publish. xoxo friend.
God’s grace covers us in all our storms. Love this!
Believe it or not, we have an umbrella ministry in our community too (only I didn’t know that was what it’s called LOL). An older woman at my church keeps umbrellas in her car. She drives past the public transportation bus stops on rainy days and give folks an umbrella!
Visiting from Christian Moms G+ community. God bless you and yours.
De Yarrison, so neat that you have someone doing that in your area as well! Thank you for visiting.
OH…I love this! What a fine ministry and such a blessing of an unexpected gift!
I am delighted to have come by from Laura’s.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Linda, thank you for stopping by.
An umbrella ministry, what a lovely thought. To have eyes open to needs and a generous heart is true ministry!
Sharing this.
visiting from Titus2Tuesday
What a beautiful message this is…one that everyone needs to hear! It sounds like you have a great man and are raising wonderful children of God! Thank you for the encouragement to be more like Jesus…forgive, abundantly give, turn the other cheek, let love and grace win in all circumstances.
Love this challenge, Lisa! Mom2Mom linkup
Kim Stewart
Good word, my friend! Life is short and small things are the best. I’m your neighbor at the wise woman linkup ~gina
Another great article Lisa! Love u!
I love this! It’s so believe that gestures don’t need to be extravagant or expensive to share God’s love. This is a perfect example! I love that the lady’s smile helped to start this “Umbrella Ministry”.
He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverb 11:25 – This is a great reminder for me today. Thanks!
Oh my goodness- this is brilliant even in it’s simplicity! Who hasn’t been caught in a rainstorm? And who wouldn’t accept a freebie umbrella instead of looking like a drowned rat? I love it! A beautiful picture of extending the umbrella of grace to all… something for each of us to bear in mind. So glad I stopped by from Faith Filled Fridays 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for stopping by, Laura. We might not get snow, but we get a lot of rain!
Such a refreshing read. May I be willing to extend grace to those around me, family, friends and strangers.
Thank you for visiting, Abi!
Lovely story, Lisa. This is really what we are supposed to be doing, isn’t it. Giving and giving and giving w/o expecting to receive. Opening our hearts for the express purpose of opening others to grace.
You made me smile today, I needed that. Thank you!
Blessings,
Dawn
I was so glad that story came back to me. Good memories. :)Thank you, Dawn!
Amazing post. Love it!
Tayrina from TGAWrites
I’ve tried writing and sending this 3 times. I just don’t know about blogging. I think the Umbrella story was great. It showed that someone in this world cared enough to find a empty place and fill that need. Thank you for sharing that story. I love the way you put everything together too. When your helping others you take the pain that your going through on the shelf. I’m searching for my Umbrella with Grace. It’s true that if you get an idea it’s 10, what you do with the idea is the 90%. Dear Lord, Let me find my Umbrellas to reach out to those in need of what you want me to share.TracieMiles#Stressed-Less
Sharon, you’re exactly right…taking eyes off of me is incredibly healing.
This is beautiful and heart warming! I always wish I took more time to see the needs in the world and offer help. I am always so busy and preoccupied! After a very difficult week, these words of encouragement are very precious to me. Thanks so much for your open and honest sharing!
I think we all struggle with that Tricia. Glad you visited!
Beautiful blog! My umbrella of grace is being tested right now with a few challenging relationships in my life. For the most part I do good with this, but admittedly I lost my patience with both people this fall. This blog was a gentle reminded and filled me up with feel good!
Heather… thank goodness for gentle reminders. We all need them for sure.
Loved this! A goal for sure!
Love this, Lisa. “Let’s say things that make this short life deeper and wider.” Yes, let’s give away umbrellas too!
I love this!! So true! We should definitely extend an umbrella of grace more often!!
The was simply wonderful to read. We certainly do need to be more intentional in this day and time. Loved reading this. God Bless you sweet lady!
What the world needs now is love, and Jesus. So true, Linda.
What a sweet memory of Dan! I’ve shared this story 😊 It is a reminder to look around, see needs and bless others. 💕
It’s a great reminder! Thanks, Libby.
Oh Lisa, the Lord is still using Dan to show his love through your sweet son. I love this and love you!!!!
Yes and amen. What a legacy we all have a chance to leave. I know you’ve seen that. xoxo