A Christmas Tip That Made All the Difference

I was at the Marriott in Orlando, enjoying the atmosphere of the hospitality suite. A gracious, older lady diligently served drinks and snacks to a group, ensuring everyone felt at home. After savoring just one glass of wine, I noticed that the once bustling suite had emptied, leaving the lady with only a dollar in her tip jar.

With the holidays approaching, I reached into my billfold and placed a $20.00 bill in the jar. As I drew my hand back, a quiet voice urged me to do more. I hesitated momentarily before adding another $10.00 to the jar, acknowledging it was a generous tip for a complimentary glass of wine. With a sense of satisfaction, I left the suite, hoping my small gesture would brighten the lady’s day.

The story didn’t end there. The next morning, when I made coffee in my room, I found only decaf. I decided to grab a cup in the hospitality room before leaving. As I opened the door to the hospitality room, I saw her. She was still sitting in the same chair as the night before. I jokingly commented, “Well, you haven’t gone far…”. She looked at me and said, “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have made it home last night…”. Confused, I looked at her, and she explained, “I lost my keys last night and had to call AAA. Thanks to the tip you left me, I had just enough to pay them. Thank you…”. She hugged me, and we wished each other a Merry Christmas.

Moments like these make me believe that God puts us where we need to be. If you have a similar story, please share it.