a small act of kindness

"This only is charity, to do all, all that we can."
- John Donne

How I found myself completely spent in chasing a renegade rolling grocery item in the middle of a huge Wal Mart parking lot dragging a fully loaded cart behind me while limping with one crutch on a surgically repaired knee is... well, a little hard to explain. 

I guess in the 3 days following my ACL surgery I had quickly contracted, what seemed to me to be, an almost lethal case of cabin fever.  Doctor's orders or not, I couldn't bear the thought of spending one more minute on my living room couch staring at the crack in the ceiling (by the way, I REALLY need to fix that!).

So, I snuck out.  I decided to do a little shopping. 

First mistake:  I knew I couldn't manage a cart with both crutches so I left one crutch at home.

Second mistake:  I didn't stick to my 3-item grocery list.  In fact I think I bought everything but those three items.

Third, fourth, and fifth mistake:  Going to a West Virginia Wal Mart on a Saturday!

Before I knew what hit me, I began to realize that maybe folks who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on education to become experts in the medical field generally should be listened to regarding a recovery "time-line".  I was a one-crutch trainwreck of pain and sweat when I finally got my purchases out those sliding doors.

Saturdays at Wal Mart means that you either do the 45 minute circling buzzard routine looking for a parking spot, or you place your vehicle in another time zone from the store.  Needless to say, by the time I got within sight of my van I was completely spent... and when the top bag slipped off the cart spilling it's treasures all over the parking lot, I thought, yup-  Worst. Day. Ever.

And then two angels showed up.  A couple, smiling and exuding life and joy and perfect humility in service quickly swooped into action, not only picking up the fallen items, but insisted on packing the groceries into the van and taking the cart back to it's stall.  Then they were gone.

It was so fast.  It was so simple... and it was so transformative that I have yet to shake the effects of it.

I just want to encourage you to be on the look out for folks out there limping through life, those who are too stubborn to ask for help, those whose entire outlook on life can be completely enlightened with one small act of kindness.

"Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way… in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love."  2 Corinthians 6:4,6

John Eklund, National "E"