wow, we are greedy people - serving others in the light of that greed

The church office likes good coffee. We aren't coffee snobs but we like good coffee. Plain and simple. So we were out of coffee yesterday and, shudder the thought, had to drink FOLGERS!!! Oh the shame. So on the way to work this morning I stopped at Walmart to get us some coffee. (Normally we drink Rainforest Alliance fair trade coffee from Sams). So, I got my coffee and shuddered at the generic choices. (who drinks that). Weaved my way back to the front.

In front of me was a mother and child buying baby formula. I didn't think anything of it... and then that changed. At Walmart, they automatically send checks through which is great (avoids overdraft problems). Her check did not go through. There she was standing without baby formula. (and me with my fancy coffee).

There are times in our lives where we have to take leaps of faith. There are times in our lives where we are thrown into situations that put it all into perspective. I bought my coffee and then waited for a second to see what she was going to do. She was frantically on the phone with people looking for money. So, I did it. I don't know what her situation was. I don't know why she didn't have the money for the formula. I could do nothing else.

I walked up to her and said, "I will buy your formula." I had been so focused on getting my stupid fancy coffee and then to watch her trying to get money for formula.

We live in a nation that is hurting. I don't know the statistics of hunger off the top of my head but it is ASTOUNDING. And yet, we still like our luxuries.

Dear God, Help me to see the needs of others more clearly. Help me to understand what is important in this world. Help me to know you a little more closely
AMEN


The woman cried. I could hear her mother on the other end of the phone going... WHAT WHY IS SHE DOING THAT!! She wanted to know how to repay me and I told her honestly. I am here buying something as insignificant as coffee -- I had to do it. The Walmart cashier cried. She was like, ma'am you don't have to do this. Yes, I did.