Last Saturday was a busy day. Nick had to be at the High School at 7:45am to run. Maddie had an away soccer game - (yes, you read that correctly) which she need to be at by 9:15am 40 minutes away. Hannah had a softball scrimmage and needed to be at the diamond at 10:00am and Isaiah had a scrimmage at the baseball fields at 11:45. Charles took Maddie and I managed the rest of the kids. We were also hosting a bonfire birthday party for Nick and Maddie that evening with about 15 kids coming at 6:30pm.
I got home with Isaiah at about 2:00 and had to make cupcakes and german chocolate bars for the evening event. I also had a hair appointment from 3-5. Crazy, isn't it? I got everything started and Maddie finished up for me as I headed out the door. Two blessed hours at the salon!
Shortly before I left the salon, after getting my PREMATURE grays covered, I got a text that we needed 6 C batteries and ice for the party. No problem. There's a Walmart near the salon. I'll grab some on my way home with plenty of time to frost the cupcakes.
The Walmart near the salon is under construction. I had forgotten about that. The main parking lot is all enclosed and off limits and you have to park a long way away. I'm annoyed by this and start hoofing it. As I am plowing through the lot I am approach by a stranger, a young gal, mid 20's maybe. She has very poor English with an Eastern European accent. "Excuse me, ma'am. I need diapers and milk for my baby. I be here 2 hours and no one help me." Inwardly I groan and think - 'I don't have time for this...I just need batteries and ice!' Outwardly I am sure I let out a big sigh and say, "Come on." I turn and keep plowing through the lot, get in the store and grab a cart. She is scampering to keep up. I head for the baby section thinking, 'a pack of diapers...$10-15, gallon of milk - $3, that's not too bad, I can do that.'
As she is running along side I quickly ask her her name. "Christine," she replies. She is thanking me profusely and saying "God bless you. I very religious."
We find the diapers. She doesn't pick a pack of diapers, she picks up the jumbo economy box for $40! I'm thinking - 'are you kidding me??' I don't say anything but I'm peeved. I turn the cart and head for the grocery section. "No, no," she says, "I need baby milk." Formula - she needs formula! She grabs a $22 canister of baby formula. I am speechless.
I wheel the cart around and head for the front of the store to grab my batteries and ice. Find batteries, toss them in. I get in line to check out. I ask the cashier for a bag of ice. They don't carry ice she tells me. Just great! She rings up my purchase and I pay. I take my batteries and give the cart to Christine and head for the door. She is still running to keep up and asks, "Please can I talk to you for a few minutes? Can we sit down?" I look at her and say, "Honestly, I am in a hurry. What to you need to tell me?"
She proceeds to explain that she took the bus down here for a job interview. When she went for the interview the only thing the guy wanted was her. She doesn't do that kind of thing. It took all the money she had to ride the bus down here. I broke in, "Are you asking for money for a bus ticket?" Yes, she need money. I had one measly dollar bill in my wallet. I took it out and handed it to her. "This is all I have on me. Really. I don't have anything more. I really need to go. I'm sorry." I walked out of the door, across the parking lot and left. I still had to find ice and I had cupcakes to frost, you know.
As I was heading for home, guilt washed over me and I fought it. I did more than
The next morning at church we discussed Matthew 25:31- . It talks about feeding the poor, caring for the orphans and when we do this we are caring for Christ. Again, guilt sweeps over me and I fight back the tears. Ever since I walked away from that young gal I knew deep down that I didn’t do what I should have done. I am convicted about my attitude during the whole event: seeing it as an inconvenience rather than an opportunity; feeling grumped and frugal rather than a cheerful giver. I’ve thought a lot about the book of Mark. Over and over again when Jesus is confronted by needy people it always says, ‘He was moved with compassion.’ I certainly was not moved by compassion but rather obligation.
Life is too short and too precious to wish for "do-overs." I need to get it right the first time.
