We've all heard the term, Pay it Forward, and we all have ideas of what it means. Maybe you think of that time when you were in the drive-thru at Starbucks, and the person in front of you paid for your order.

But, what's the difference between just doing something nice, like paying for a stranger's coffee, and Paying it Forward? What is it that we're paying forward?

Well, here's what I think.

I believe that it means giving something to someone else, that you've been given. So when someone pays for your coffee at Starbucks, the next time you go through the line, you do the same for the person behind you.

The thing is, Paying it Forward will cost you. And sometimes, people just don't want to be bothered. Hey, sometimes I don't want to be bothered myself.  It's nice to receive that free cup of coffee, but do we really want to pay for someone else's coffee the next time around?

Recently, I was given the opportunity on two separate occasions to offer my time as a mentor to new writers.  The cost in this case is my time. In both cases I reminded myself that, at one time, someone else offered her time to be my mentor. I wouldn't be experiencing some of the successes I am, had she not given of herself in that way.

I have a friend who has an eight month old baby. She sometimes needs a babysitter. Now, I happen to be head over heels in love with the little mushy face, so I enjoy doing it, but again, I also remember the days when my children were little and I needed help.

But most of all, at one time, I needed forgiveness of my sins. I needed someone to stand in the gap between me and God. Someone to stand up for me and say, "It's okay. I paid for her."  And I was given just that. If anyone ever paid, it was Jesus.  Sharing this gift is the ultimate way of Paying it Forward.

So, as you go about your day, take time to observe those around you. What can you Pay Forward? Does someone need a cup of coffee? Maybe they need a little of your time, or maybe they need to know Jesus loves them?  And guess what - that  cup or coffee, or that time you offer - just may be the way you show them that He does.                                      

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’   Matthew 25:40