Lessons learned in Walmart

I spend way too much time at Walmart. I am there several times a week. Sometimes I am just "running in for a couple of things." And $200 later, I have my couple of things, and 50 more items. And sometimes I am there buying a full order of groceries, dreading the trip there, dreading loading and unloading all those little plastic bags, dreading trying to cram it all in my pantry and cabinets. (We are 'kitchen challenged' around here. Not much space.)

I always enjoy observing my fellow shoppers when I am there, though. And have you ever noticed? When you go with no make up on, or without showering first, or in your worst clothes, you always run into someone you know!  And its usually not just anyone, but a person you haven't seen in years, or a fellow church member, or someone that is always fixed up to their best. And you try to dodge them, immediately thinking about how bad you look. But they always end up on the same isle with you. They never seem to mind how you look. They are just happy to see you. Then you feel bad for dodging them. And it most always lifts your spirits.

I am remembering a night last winter. The temperature was dropping. It was raining. And the roads were starting to ice over. It was about 10pm, and I realized that Gordon was out of dog food. He couldn't go hungry so I had to make the trip to Walmart. I was upset that I was the one that had to make the trip out that night. And I was nervous about the drive. I hurried in, forgetting how heavy a large bag of dog food is. So I didn't stop to get a cart. The dog food is in the very back of the store. So I grabbed a 20lb bag of food, and some hamster food and rushed to the cashier. Apparently everyone in Chattanooga had the same idea because the lines were backed up several people deep. By now, the dog food seemed to weigh about 50lbs. My arms and hands hurt. I was mad that no one at home had volunteered to make this journey. And I was frustrated with myself for not buying dog food on my last trip there (which was probably just the day before). I was almost in tears.

I chose the express lane and got in line, wondering how I would hold all this stuff for another 10 minutes. When all of the sudden, the young man in front of me turned around. Immediately his eyes softened. He smiled. Then very quickly unloaded his cart, and gave it to me to put my dog food in. I was so grateful to him! He was like a super hero to me at that moment! I am sure this kind young man has long forgotten this gesture. But I have carried it with me for months. I want to be the person that makes a sacrifice for a stranger. It seemed like a small gesture to him, but it took a load off me. I pray I will always remember to show the small gestures of love to those that God places in my path. It really can change a persons day. Maybe even their life....