An anonymous Secret Santa walked into a Walmart in Tennessee and shelled out nearly $65,000 to pay off layaway balances belonging to complete strangers. And positive news stories like these are great reminders that there is still so much goodness in the world!
Several families in Tennessee received an unexpected blessing after a generous stranger showed up at Walmart to pay off layaway items in an act of goodwill.
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Lloyd Leonard was one of the people who received a notification telling him his balance had been paid off. Worried it might be some kind of mistake, he called the store and spoke to a manager to confirm.
“She said yeah somebody came in this morning at 6 o’clock and paid everybody’s layaway,” Leonard said. “But he wants me to tell you that he loves you, God bless you, and Merry Christmas.”
Many families find themselves particularly strapped at Christmas as they buy gifts for everyone on their list. So, the timing of this blessing really touched the hearts of those who received it.
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"The emotional type that I am, I just broke. I just started crying," April Hilliard said of hearing her layaway bill had been paid off. "That restores my faith. It's like a Christmas miracle."
It's not just the recipients who get joy from this blessing. The Walmart employees spreading the good news about the paid off layaway items get to share in the joy, too.
"It's especially touching when customers pay off others' layaways during the holiday season and serves as another example of the generosity our customers show year-round," said the Walmart store manager Kris Light. "We're honored to play a small role in these acts of kindness and we love seeing the joy it brings to our customers this time of year."
This incredible blessing is exactly what Christmas is all about. God gave us the gift of His Son, who came to pay the debt with His life.
The freedom and relief felt in paying off layaway or any other worldly debt is amazing. But it pales in comparison to the freedom that comes through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No matter what struggles you face this Christmas, remember that Jesus has already overcome it!
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"These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
h/t: People
Featured Image: Youtube/WJHL News
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!