Humbled at the Grocery Store

I was humbled at the grocery store the other day. I ran into the store to pick up a few items before heading home. My husband and my son were sick, I had just left church, I was headed to a birthday party for a little boy our community is celebrating, that has cancer, and I needed a few things from the store.  I rushed in, grabbed the items from the shelves, got in the shortest line I could find, skipped the usual small talk I so enjoy at this particular store, swiped my card and ran out the door. I was bound by time and needed to get stuff done.

I ended up spending way more than I had anticipated, while in the store, but it did not even dawn on me until I was pulling out of the parking lot and my eyes fell on a scene that would flood me with conviction. As I flipped my blinker to signal my right turn out of the parking lot, my eye was caught by a little old lady bending over her grocery cart, outside in the cold, flipping through the coupons in her hand. She was wearing a worn coat, a little knit hat and she had a scarf around her neck. Her pants were a little too short and her sneakers were dirty where they looked to have been white a very long time ago. I was humbled.

Tears began to roll down my face and before you know it I could no longer hold back the sobs. I wanted to get out and run to her, embrace her, give her all the cash I had in my pocket, (which I discovered was none), and help her through the store. I could not stop crying. Where were these tears coming from? I have seen scenes like this a million times; the homeless guy on the street, the lady at the park, the child on TV. Why was this affecting me so badly?

I felt a warming sensation. I had turned my seat heater on in my car and it had kicked in. I went to turn the temperature down when my freshly painted manicured nails caught my eye. My eyes then lingered to my rear view mirror where I saw a backseat full of groceries that I had not even thought twice about buying. I had not clipped coupons, budgeted, or even thought twice about spending more than I had anticipated. Then I realized I was sitting in a new car, my husband had recently bought me, with a warm bottom, and every bell and whistle you can imagine...then I rode that thought train all the way to “I’m so UNGrateful Ville”.

I was humbled. I was convicted. How had I taken so much for granted? I am a minister, I strive to work for the Lord every day. I teach others to be appreciative and grateful. Yet, somehow, in the midst of all my good “works” I had become ungrateful for all of the blessings in my life. As I sat there, tears rolling down my face, I begged God for His forgiveness. I vowed, to strive to be more thankful and appreciative for everything He has blessed me and my family with.

As I pulled away, thoughts of the little old lady stayed with me. I cried all the way home. I began to seek God on how to be more frugal in my own life so that I could be a bigger blessing to others. It didn’t take long for Him to show me things in my life that I could cut out. I’m so blessed that instead of God allowing me to stay in my “feelings”, He dried my tears, told me it was okay, and that through His mercy and grace I had learned my lesson and now I could take my new found knowledge and put it to work.

I want to encourage you today; don’t take anything for granted. It is the season of Thankfulness, and we should be thankful every day for all that we have. We may not have as much as others, and in some cases we have way more than others, but Jesus died for us all, and His desire is that none should perish. Go out and be a blessing to someone today. Be mindful and smart in using the resources the Good Lord gave you. Kindness is free. Use it abundantly.