Mine is a story of missed opportunity and redemption.
It began one cold winter evening as I stood in the grocery checkout line behind a rather ragamuffin couple. I watched their items move along the conveyer belt – bread, milk, beer, ice cream, diapers and a few other odds and ends. As the cashier announced their total, the man realized he had left his wallet at home. He asked the cashier to please set the items aside and he would be right back. I remember being a bit concerned that his ice cream might melt in the meantime.
It wasn’t until I was leaving the store with my purchases in hand that the thought hit me, “I could have paid for the ice cream. And the milk.”
That way they could have at least taken those two items home and put them in the freezer and fridge before coming back for the rest. Darn my feeble mind. You can be sure I will be ready the next time.
A few weeks later God gave me a new opportunity. I was walking into the same grocery store when I noticed an elderly woman struggling to put a walker into the trunk of a car that was pulled up to the curb. There was an elderly gentleman sitting in the passenger seat with the door open and his legs swung out to the side. I asked the woman if I could give her a hand as I took the walker from her. After we successfully tucked the walker into the trunk, the gentleman thanked me for helping out “an old military man”. I was delighted to hear a bit of his story and to be able to thank him for his brave service. What a lovely day it turned out to be.
Thank you God for the opportunity to connect with that beautiful couple. I am still itching to pay for someone’s milk and ice cream, though.
Kindness Blog 
I wish we could hear or read more stories like this, it makes us realise that there are still good people in this world of turmoil. Thank you also for the smile on my face for the word you used I have not heard that one in a long time. “Ragamuffin” what a lovely word.
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I love your story and your writing style.
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That is a lovely story, and I also love the way God is always willing to answer that kind of prayer in a very prompt and forthright fashion. I find it a great reassurance that He’s always listening to everything we say to Him.
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Great story. GOD does give us opportunity to be kind to others.
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I am glad you got a second chance to help someone and did so. We all have those “I could have had a V8” moments and wished we would have acted or acted differently. Take care, BTG
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Thank you, Kindness Blog, for reposting my story. Last week, as I was scrolling through my reader, I asked God to help me find a blog or two that would touch my heart and uplift my spirit. Then you contacted me about posting my story. It wasn’t until today that I made the connection between the two. I am so happy to have your blog – and a daily dose or two or three of goodness – in my feed. Plus, thanks to you, I have met some very kind new blogging friends.
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