The Generosity of a Stranger.

Today I ran to the commissary (base grocery store) to pick up a few items and use the last of our WIC checks (meaning our income level allows us to receive state assistance for Kaiden's food -- an amazing program!) After grabbing the items I needed, I went to the checkout line. I always check out my WIC stuff first, as there are very strict procedures about what you can and can't buy. I didn't grab enough juice and so I had to take Kaiden out of the cart, grab my wallet and run over to the juice aisle to pick up another. That in itself got me flustered. I know what it's like to pick a line because you think it looks short only to find out that the person in front of you "needs a price check" or "forgot something". After the cashier was done ringing up my WIC items, she proceeded to ring up the rest of the groceries. I started to panic because I couldn't find my debit card...I left it at home. I quickly scrambled to see how much cash was in my wallet. $27. The total came up to be $31.05. Immediately, my face turned bright red and I told the cashier "I don't have enough. Can you take something out?" Because I'm such a soft spoken person, she couldn't understand what I said and I had to repeat myself. At that point I felt so embarrassed...I just wanted to forget the groceries and leave. Again, I told her just to take something...anything out. A bagger (on military bases the baggers get tips and that is how they make money) came up to me, pulled out some cash and said "I've got it covered. How much do you need?" I insisted that they just take something out but before anything could be done he placed several $1's down, paid for it and even tipped my bagger. In that moment, I could feel tears bursting through. I tried to spit out a thank you as best as I could. I walked out of the store with so many emotions. Embarrassment. Gratitude. Pride. Gratefulness. Humility. I'm sure all of this sounds like it wasn't that big of a deal but I specifically go out of my way to make sure that I'm never in a position of embarrassment. I've never been in a place where I wasn't able to afford something, and if we can't afford it, we don't buy it. As I pushed back the tears and thanked God for sending that man, I realized my pride issue. I also realized that this is how the body of Christ is called to act. This complete stranger had no idea who I am and could have just as easily let me return something, but was willing to cover the cost before he even realized how much it was. It was a beautiful display of compassion, generosity, and love. God freely gives to us and we should freely give to others. I don't know if this man was a Believer or not, but the prompting he had to spare a few dollars (dollars which normally don't seem that much most of the time) meant the world to me and taught me a great lesson about God, the Church and myself.