The Quarter

-


 So often we overlook what may be going on in each other's lives. A seemingly simple interaction could have implications far beyond what that encounter seemed to be. And so it was, I believe, with a chance encounter I had in the Aldi parking lot this week. 


The Quarter


I have been to Aldi thousands of times. I know that I need to have a quarter handy unless I want to juggle my groceries while I walk through the store. The carts stand front and center as you enter the store. You place a quarter in the slot of the cart, and it is released for your use. When you are finished you re-attach the cart in the corral and your quarter is returned. Often, if you are lucky, you can catch someone about to return their cart, simply hand over your quarter, and use their cart without all of the fuss of getting the cart to begin with.

There have been many occasions I have been returning my cart and I just give it to the next person. I tell them to pay it forward when that happens. Many shoppers are of the same mind set, just giving up their cart to the next shopper. I like to think of it as Aldi etiquette. 

This past week I saw an elderly man re-approaching the store with his cart. He had such a sweet face, and like so many men of that generation, going anywhere was a reason to dress up. He wore suit trousers, a necktie, button down and sweater. He had a twinkle in his eye that immediately endeared me to him. I slowly approached him and asked if he was returning his cart. Why yes, he responded. He signaled to me to take it. My quarter was clinging to my palm as I pulled it up and showed it to him. With a gentle smile he reached out and grabbed it from me forcefully. Now don't get me wrong, he had every right to that quarter, but to me, it seemed he didn't get the Aldi etiquette memo. So much so, I was taken back by his action. 

I thought about it during my entire shopping excursion. Why was he so eager for that quarter. What on earth could be so important about 25 cents? And why was this bugging me so much? It seemed so petty. 

As I got in the car to go home, God planted the possibilities on my heart. Maybe that quarter was a part of 75 cents that completed a dollar. That dollar may be what he needed for a loaf of bread. Or maybe that quarter needed to be used in a coin laundry to do his wash. Or perhaps he kept that quarter in his car to use over and over at Aldi for his cart. 

Whatever his reason, it was a good reason, and it was his. It was not mine to judge or wonder, just accept. All too often I find myself indulging in judgement where I have no business doing so. 

Can you imagine where we would be if Jesus passed judgement on the people that crossed his path? The prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners were welcomed as his guests. Instead, he showed compassion, Grace and forgiveness. And that my friends is what we are called to do each and every day. If the son of God accepted all, right where they were in life, I certainly can do that. And so can you. 


Let's Discuss this! Leave your thoughts in the comment section! 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Coach

-
Image
 I think for the first 20 years of my marriage, I had a great deal of resentment towards my father-in-law.  He was by all measures a wonderful man, but I felt in many ways, his grandchildren took a backseat to his happiness. And yet, the irony of it all, I also believe that other than my husband, he understood me the best.  I will explain. After his retirement, he devoted most of his days and nights to the local high school and its sports program. It would seem logical since before that he had lived his life through his children's sports. An incredibly attentive parent in that regard, he coached them, encouraged them, and dreamed with them from T-ball through the entirety of high school. His breath was measured by the smell of a fresh cut baseball field. His heart beat to the pounding of shoes racing up and down a basketball court. And his eyes came alive with the lights of a Friday night football game. It was far more than his passion; it was his life.  So why would I resent this?
Read more

Where Did Christmas Go ?

-
Image
 I always become a bit melancholy in the days directly after Christmas. Some might say that isn't unusual most feel an anticlimactic let down. But mine goes much deeper. Of course, I am sad that after months of preparation the day seems to come and go, like a quick summer storm that disappears back into the clouds from which it came. My heart almost aches as I walk through the stores with sale signs cascading the picked over shelves. It's as if December 25th is a distant memory the day after it dawns. Even now driving down the street (December 28th), I have seen any number of Christmas trees cast off to the curb. Why do people insist on erasing any trace of this beautiful day? Theologically the Maji are still tracking their journey to meet the newborn king.  Yes, I can still hear the squeal of my youngest granddaughter when she opened the Barbie she wanted. The sparkle in her eyes will light my dreams for months. Or my youngest grandson's smile when he saw the collection of
Read more

Sweet Mary

-
Image
  Sweet Mary I passed the Hospice where I said goodbye to you. It stands stoic and silent against an unlikely back drop. I can still see your face, your beautiful face that very last day. It had a light around it, cloaked in a celestial opus. You looked more beautiful than I had ever seen you. Do you think God gave me that final glimpse so I could see heaven? You were so peaceful, and I knew in my heart that God had already called your name. I stood by your bed in that mere magnificence and cried. I cried for joy that you would finally be at rest. You would bathe in that light. You would see your sister, your mom and Dad and maybe even my parents. You would live where the sky meets the earth and command the sunrise and sunset. And, I cried for myself, how much I miss you. I loved that I was able to spend all of that time with you - driving you, sitting with you and talking to you. You filled a part of my heart I never knew was empty. Such a gift you were. Not just a cousin but a confid
Read more