Hashem Fulfills Good Intentions

Hashem treasures not only the good deeds that we do, but also the good that we genuinely want to do. Even if circumstances prevent a person from carrying out the acts of kindness he wishes to perform, Hashem never forgets a sincere good intention. Sometimes, in His infinite kindness, He arranges for those good intentions to be fulfilled years later—even after a person has already left this world. Rav Yehuda Segal from Beit Shemesh related the following remarkable story about his mother. She managed a clothing store in Yerushalayim for many years. Widowed at a young age, she ran the business with tremendous emunah, bitachon, and kindness. After she passed away, her children decided to close the store and donate all of the remaining clothing to families of seriously ill patients as a zechut for her neshamah. Each family was allowed to take six articles of clothing. One day, a young mother with tired eyes came into the store and handed Rav Segal's sister a ticket stating that she was eligible to receive clothing for herself and her family. After choosing her six items, she asked if she could possibly take a seventh outfit for her elderly mother. Her request was gladly granted. The young woman selected an outfit that matched her mother's taste and size and went straight to her apartment. As she handed it to her, she smiled and said jokingly, "Mommy, I brought you something from Mrs. Segal." Those words awakened a memory that had long been forgotten. Many years earlier, the elderly woman had purchased a beautiful Shabbos outfit from Mrs. Segal's store for 360 shekels. After wearing it once, she mistakenly washed it without following the instructions on the label. The outfit came out ruined. It had torn, the fabric had pilled, and it was wrinkled beyond repair. Upset, she returned to the store demanding either a refund or a replacement. Mrs. Segal calmly showed her the washing instructions and explained that, according to the clearly posted store policy, they were not obligated to replace the garment because it had not been washed properly. Then she said something extraordinary. "If you truly feel that you deserve a refund, you may choose anything in the store worth 360 shekels." The woman knew the damage had been her own fault. She realized that Mrs. Segal was under no obligation to replace the outfit. Although Mrs. Segal sincerely wanted her to leave feeling good, she felt uncomfortable accepting something she wasn't entitled to. She declined the generous offer and left. Many years passed. Now, after Mrs. Segal had already left this world, the elderly woman was holding a gift from that very same store. She looked at her daughter and said with emotion, "You're really bringing me a gift from Mrs. Segal in Shamayim." Then she looked at the price tag and couldn't believe her eyes-360 shekels. Tears filled her eyes. "Hashem arranged that I should finally receive the gift she wanted to give me all those years ago. This will certainly be an aliyah for her neshamah." Mrs. Segal truly wanted her customer to leave happy. Although her offer was never accepted during her lifetime, Hashem did not allow that sincere desire to disappear. Years later, after she had already returned her neshamah to Him, He orchestrated every detail so that her original wish would finally become a reality—down to the exact value of the gift. How precious are our good intentions to Hashem. Every sincere desire to help another Jew is treasured by Him. Even if we are unable to complete the kindness ourselves, Hashem is not limited by time. If He so chooses, He can fulfill a person's good intentions even after he has left this world.