Friday, July 9, 2010

Kindness in Action!

A most wonderful scene took place this afternoon. I was in one of the local gas station/convenience stores standing in line to pay. In front of me were two women, one directly in front of me waiting her turn and another talking to the cashier about her total. This woman at the very front had several snacks and drinks for what appeared to be her 4 children. They were also preparing hot dogs to complete the items to be bought. It seems the woman was having trouble either using a coupon or combining it with her food stamp card to cover the purchase. The cashier was patiently trying to clarify and confirm the options.

A few minutes passed as the woman directly in front of me and I watched the discussion at the register. Suddenly the woman in front of me stepped forward and said to the cashier, "I'll take care of hers. Please add her purchases to my $20 for gas at pump #1." The cashier just kind of stared for a moment. The woman in front of her said, "Oh no, you don't have to do that." The good Samaritan simply insisted by repeating the same request to the cashier. The cashier said OK and took her credit card. As she handed the card back, the woman in front just bowed her head a little and said, "Thank you so much!"

She turned to her children and told them to be thankful, "You all say Thank You to this nice lady, she just bought your food for you." They did and began to gather their items and leave. As the woman in front of me signed her reciept and walked out as well, I was just a bit stunned and had to snap out of it to make my purchase. I left the register and walked outside, but before I made my way to my vehicle I was led to speak to the woman who had done something so nice.

I walked up to her and said, "That was beautiful. You don't see goodness like that often enough. I am going to say a special prayer for you and ask God to bless you even more for sharing love." She just smiled and said it was nothing. Oh but it was something, yes indeed, something we can all be inspired by.

CJ