Kindness Example

Kind words heal and help;
cutting words wound and maim.
Proverbs 15:4

I finished my shopping at Walmart and was on my way to the car when a young lady came up and asked if I would ‘loan’ her $4 to pay for the rest of her groceries (I could see she had some purchases in her cart). I told her I’d be glad to go into the store and give it to the checkout clerk.

We walked in and she made her way through all the checkout stands to the farthest one from the door. I assumed that’s where her items had been left. I found a place in line with an assorted group of somber people.

When the checker saw the woman, she said in a harsh voice, “Are you back again?” and that got the attention of everyone in line. At that, the lady turned, left her cart and darted into the aisles and left me standing there. This caused everyone in line to be looking at me.

The checker told me that this lady had been ‘working the parking lot’ all morning, getting money from customers. Someone in line said, “You should know when someone comes up and asks for money, they’re a crook.”

To which I said, “I like to give everyone a chance to just be having a rough time. I didn’t mind coming back in. Just think, I wouldn’t have met all of you if I hadn’t!”

Everyone laughed and started talking to each other as I left. The mood had changed. I said a prayer for the lady as I went to my car, wondering what kind of a life she has.

— Rhea Zakich

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