“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” –Romans 12:9-10
I’ll never forget my first outing after my daughter was born. I did everything right, I drove slowly through the parking lot, I covered her up with a blanket as we ran toward the door and my inner clock was on the countdown for the next time she would need to eat again. I quickly strolled through the aisles looking at all the cute baby things. As we finished picking up the few items we needed, and maybe a few we didn’t, I headed toward the checkout line, and then finally out to the car.
It was at the car that I was faced with a dreaded “Mom dilemma” – which order do you put your groceries and cart away so as not to leave your baby in the car any longer than needed without you or do you carry the baby to put the cart away and then bring them back? I had parked at the front of the parking lot since it was a cold day, and the cart return was toward the back. I quickly loaded my groceries in the car, and was trying to decide exactly what the best plan of action would be, when a sweet older gentleman stopped me and asked if he could return my cart for me. It was like he could see my inner turmoil over something that shouldn’t be that difficult. He just gave me a smile and said, “I had 4 kids” as if that was explanation enough. Tears welled up in my eyes, and all I could mutter was a small thank you.
There is something to be said for small acts of kindness like returning a grocery cart for a struggling mom, that evoke the largest feelings of gratitude.
Mandi Moon, Director St. Luke’s Children’s Center
