Last weekend, I was in the 20 items or fewer line at Wal-Mart, buying Christmas ornaments. The girl in front of me was a young mom. Her baby was in the buggy crying, tired. The mother looked exhausted, herself, with dark circles under her eyes. I began pulling items out of my cart and, regrettably, didn't realize what was going on ahead of me until it was too late. The girl paid and walked away with 2 bags of groceries, telling the cashier that she was sorry, and leaving a third bag behind. The cashier, an older lady, shook her head, rolled her eyes, and said to me, "Why would she even come in the store if she can't afford the groceries?" I held my tongue because I know that I have a tendency to take things a little too far, but my blood was boiling. I wish I had said something. I wish I had known before the girl walked away, and I would have bought the fish sticks and other items in that bag for her and her child. I am not exactly rolling in dough lately but I know that God would not let me go under after helping someone in need.
You see, in December of last year, I was in a similar position. No, I am not a mother, so my situation is a bit different, but the only money I was making was from babysitting. I wasn't getting substitute teaching calls as frequently as I had during the previous semester and I was sinking fast. My car was broken down, I was having back trouble and had no insurance to cover my medical needs. Almost everything I made went to bills, gas for the vehicles I had to borrow to make it to and from work, and medical appointments and meds. I had had to finally let go of my pride and apply for food stamps a couple of months earlier and felt absolutely mortified every time I pulled out that EBT card in public. Just before Christmas I went to get groceries. My town's grocery store is very limited, so I made a 40 minute drive to my nearest Publix. I got nearly a month's worth of groceries (obviously the more perishable items would need to be purchased again sooner than others). The cashier rang it all up and the total was $100 +. Thinking my EBT card had been refilled a couple days before this shopping trip, I swiped my card. The cashier told me that that only took care of a few dollars of it and asked if I had another form of payment. Being the week before Christmas, I knew I didn't have enough in checking to cover it. Embarrassed, I told her that the card was supposed to have just been refilled and I needed to call and find out what was going on. Due to it being the holidays, there was a long line behind me. Without hesitation, the gentleman behind me reached up and swiped his American Express, telling me, "I've got it. Merry Christmas." I told him he didn't have to do that, that I would get it worked out, but he just said, "I know I don't have to, I want to." I felt ashamed, yet I was so grateful that there was someone so selfless as to pay for $100 of groceries for a total stranger. I thanked him, and told him, "God bless you. Merry Christmas." I made a promise to myself to pay it forward. I feel like last weekend was my chance and I failed. I had these gift cards that I had cashed in my reward points in for at work that I could have used to help. But I did learn something. I learned keep an eye out for these situations. That man's actions exemplified the Christmas spirit, and the spirit we should carry year round for our neighbors. Sometimes, the situation presents itself clearly, and sometimes we have to look for them.
You see, in December of last year, I was in a similar position. No, I am not a mother, so my situation is a bit different, but the only money I was making was from babysitting. I wasn't getting substitute teaching calls as frequently as I had during the previous semester and I was sinking fast. My car was broken down, I was having back trouble and had no insurance to cover my medical needs. Almost everything I made went to bills, gas for the vehicles I had to borrow to make it to and from work, and medical appointments and meds. I had had to finally let go of my pride and apply for food stamps a couple of months earlier and felt absolutely mortified every time I pulled out that EBT card in public. Just before Christmas I went to get groceries. My town's grocery store is very limited, so I made a 40 minute drive to my nearest Publix. I got nearly a month's worth of groceries (obviously the more perishable items would need to be purchased again sooner than others). The cashier rang it all up and the total was $100 +. Thinking my EBT card had been refilled a couple days before this shopping trip, I swiped my card. The cashier told me that that only took care of a few dollars of it and asked if I had another form of payment. Being the week before Christmas, I knew I didn't have enough in checking to cover it. Embarrassed, I told her that the card was supposed to have just been refilled and I needed to call and find out what was going on. Due to it being the holidays, there was a long line behind me. Without hesitation, the gentleman behind me reached up and swiped his American Express, telling me, "I've got it. Merry Christmas." I told him he didn't have to do that, that I would get it worked out, but he just said, "I know I don't have to, I want to." I felt ashamed, yet I was so grateful that there was someone so selfless as to pay for $100 of groceries for a total stranger. I thanked him, and told him, "God bless you. Merry Christmas." I made a promise to myself to pay it forward. I feel like last weekend was my chance and I failed. I had these gift cards that I had cashed in my reward points in for at work that I could have used to help. But I did learn something. I learned keep an eye out for these situations. That man's actions exemplified the Christmas spirit, and the spirit we should carry year round for our neighbors. Sometimes, the situation presents itself clearly, and sometimes we have to look for them.
So this Christmas season, and in the upcoming year, I encourage and challenge you to do the same. Look for the need around you and help in whatever way you can, whether that be on a large or a small scale. And while you're at it, look for the good in the world and give the recognition deserved. It's so easily overlooked and overshadowed these days. God Bless.
Love, Leigh
