Today was one of the first days I joined the mass of bread-milk-and-eggs buyers. I didn't need all of those things, but I still had to go the grocery store. After purchasing all of my items, I had an interesting experience while standing in the check-out line.
There was a woman ahead of my who was trying to use a WIC coupon or whatever it is called. The cashier was having a difficult time making the register accept the coupon and applying it to the certain items she was purchasing. He was being really friendly and was doing the best he could, but after fifteen minutes, the woman was starting to get impatient. The whole time I was standing behind her I could sense depression and heart-ache which made my heart ache as well.
When the coupon was finally applied she owed seventy-five cents. She chuckled to herself, shook her head and proceeded to get out her debit card. She gathered her things and left the store and unfortunately forgot one bag worth of groceries. I did notice and tried to tell the casheir, but he was not comprehending what I was trying to tell him.
After I bought my items and started to drive home, thoughts flooded my mind. Praying for a person is excellent, but what does that show a pereson who may not know the Lord? How is silently praying encouraging my fellow-man? The verse "...faith without works is dead." It's truth hit me like a hammer against a nail. I could have done so many practical things to show this woman the love of Christ. I could have given her the money to pay for her purchase. I could have taken the bag and ran after her. But, what did I do? I stood there like an idiot. It is times like these that I really wish I could go back in time. However, all I can do now (which is something and important) is pray that God gives her an extra special blessing.
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It's tough when things like that happen to you. You always think, "If I had only helped that person..." but, for me at least, when the moment presents itself, I'm too anxious/nervous/dumbfounded to truly do anything. Only after the moment passes do I think of what I could have done.
ReplyDeleteI remember one day when I was on my walk in the park, I saw a car parked in the lot. There was a woman hunched over the side of the driver's seat, so that while she was still sitting in the car, the top half of her body was out, as if she was throwing up outside the door or something. I wanted to rush over, ask if she was okay, but I thought, "This is Northampton. Not a BAD town, but lots of druggies and douche bags." So instead of checking on her, I just kept walking. I still feel terrible about doing so, and this happened months ago now. What if she needed help? What if I could have been the one to provide that help?
I went home and prayed that she would be all right, and also that God would grant me the courage to provide help for a stranger if they needed it without feeling anxiety. It's hard, since I have a problem with social anxiety, but I can't proclaim to be a Christian and not help those in need.
We're works in progress. We'll get there :)
Thanks for the encouragement. I konw I am not the only person to do things like this, but I have to admit I am glad you shared this story with me. Maybe we should pray for each other.
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