August 2, 2017

Nicholas Tate is 20-year old college student from Newcastle, Oklahoma. Nicholas, like most college students, is working a part-time job at Walmart to help cover his expenses. When he is at work, Nicholas is a cashier.

I have no doubt that Nicholas sees people from every walk of life while manning his register. There are, no doubt, happy people, angry people, people in a hurry and people who are slowly enjoying their day. Thousands of people pass through a Walmart every day.

One Friday evening, a young woman and three children were at the front of the line at Nicholas’ register. They had several grocery items and it was easy to tell that the people behind them were in a hurry. The young woman was a new foster parent. It was her first time using her benefit cards in the check-out line. There was a problem with the card and Nicholas was doing his best to help her out. He called for a manager while the people in line grew all-the-more restless.

What happened next has made national news… Nicholas knew in his heart that he needed to help this young foster parent out. He reached into his own back pocket and swiped his own debit card. The young woman asked, “What are you doing?” as her eyes filled with tears. She took her groceries and her new family and went home.

The next day Nicholas was approached by another woman who had heard of his act of kindness. The new foster mother had gone home and posted her gratitude online. Soon people all over were learning about a young college student who wanted to share God’s love and help someone struggling.

It was not long that Nicholas was interviewed by local news media. The story would soon be picked up by many of the national news sources. They asked Nicholas why he would do this? Why would a young college guy spend his hard-earned money on a complete stranger? Nicholas answered, “When we feel like God is telling us to do something — how many times do we say no? In that moment, without a doubt, he was telling me to pay, telling me these people are in need, to help them.”

Nicholas listened to the quite voice of God in his heart and responded. He blessed a family. The young woman who posted her gratitude online was able to share this story with so many people, and share about God’s love as well. When kindness and gratitude work together hope is found and God’s love is shared.

Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor