Winter

Winter

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Out and About


I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. It has been lovely here. The weather is just perfect.
I had one of those days this week at the grocery store. I keep thinking about it so I thought I would share it with you. Have your read those stories where adversity makes people rise above themselves and do great things for their fellow man? That isn't me. Trials make me draw into myself, and shut the blinds and keep people at arms length.

I don't know if maybe not being to see made me miss signals that people give off but now that I can see, I see things that I didn't notice before.


I was going to the grocery store and there was a woman struggling to get a shopping cart. I asked her if I could help her and she said, " No she could handle it." So I waited as she then struggled to get her walker in the basket. I stepped forward and held the basket as she finally managed to get it in the cart. Then again she struggled to move the shopping cart towards the automatic doors. I was afraid she was going to fall down, so I helped her just a little bit as she finally got in the store. I went out grabbed my basket and started in myself. She was waiting for me and grabbed me and hugged me. She then said, " Thank you so much people don't help people anymore and this is my first time out by myself after surgery."  "I told her that I was getting groceries and I would keep my eyes open and if she needed any more help, I would help her." She said thank you and I went on my way.


As I went zooming along trying to get stuff done so I could get out of the store and get back home. I could hear one of the shopping carts that you can ride in and it was making that sound of a truck when it backs up. It tickled me to know that. As I made it down the pet aisle the gentleman riding the grocery cart with the  back up noise was sitting right where the brand of cat food I buy was located. I stood off to one side and the gentleman was getting his cat food.


He looked at me sideways and asked"  if I had a cat?" I said, "yes, too many cats and he told me his cat was 20 years old. "  I grabbed my cat food and he said rather wistfully, " Was I very busy today? " I stopped, and I looked at him, and said, " No, not very busy do you need me to get you something?" He began telling me about going to his eye doctor and how he had a cataract in his eye and how he couldn't see at all."

I was shocked that God had given me this opportunity. We talked and I told him of my experience. He kept asking me questions and I kept answering them. He said, " They are just waiting for me to die because the eye doctor told me I was too old to have surgery." I told him the name of my doctor and that I had seen lots of people lots older than him in the office."



About then he says, " I want to show you something. He starts fumbling with his pants. Like below the belt part. I started to panic to myself and started praying " Oh God, help me here, please God don't let me see anything." I started backing up so slowly as to make a run for it. You know how old gentlemen of certain age sometimes like to show you things you don't want to see? Or is it just me? Well anyway, he says " Look right here, and I looked. What he had was a rope and it was tied so tight around his hips, I mean tight in a knot. I said, " Gosh what is that? " He said, " I have a hernia and the doctor won't send me to the hospital to get it fixed. and he said I have a second one in my belly button."  I gasped, " Does it hurt?"

He said, " It hurts like hell sometimes I can hardly stand it." He showed me his swollen ankles because his heart doesn't beat hard enough, but he told me he lives in the mountains and has been drinking mistletoe tea  for that and it was really helping. My phone rang and he went on his way and I went on mine.


I have continued to think about him. He was a sweet man. He had a accent and as I thought about him I think it was Swiss. I continue to be amazed how nice it is to have divine appointments again. I am so glad that I can see how God can take my life experiences and use them to bring comfort to others. I am glad that even though my list of things I thought were important that I thought needed to be done that day, I am glad I stopped just for a little while.


Thank you for reading along today, I know this is pretty wordy. I guess it made me happy to see that Romans 8:28 continues to work in my life, even when I least expect it.
Have a wonderful day,
~Kim~


"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

18 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

that poor man. bless him. he found a good soul in you - even for a few moments of comfort.

i helped a woman in one of those ride-carts reach something in the freezer section this week. it makes me realize just how much i take movement and reach for granted.

Julia said...

There are a lot of hurting people and not enough caring people anymore. It warms my heart that you took the time to help and listen to those two old folks.

How they must find a big change in people now a day from what they were used to years ago.

Take care and God bless you. Your roses and sunflowers are so pretty. I think God has put me on the earth to love flowers, haha.

I'm home early today. It's so wet outside and I got a little rough weeding job done just so the weeds didn't cast their seeds.

Enjoy your weekend.
Hugs,
JB

Jacque. said...

oh gosh, Kim. It made me tear all up thinking about how God uses you. That was a wonderful post. xo

Pom Pom said...

People can sense kindness in others. You have it! You made me think about going to the grocery in the morning when the older people are shopping.
Doesn't it seem like older people are ignored and forgotten most of the time? Someday everyone will be old, too. I think they fear it.
Pride, maybe.
I think it's funny that some people call me "dear" because of my white hair and my round body. I remind myself that it might be respectful and that's good. I'd hate to fall into the habit of trying to be too cool to be old. Ha!

Debbie said...

"adversity does not build character ~ it reveals it".....just like these meeting did!!!

the hubs and i were having an ice cream recently, i have exception hearing. there were 4 girls on the bench next to us, only 3 were enjoying ice cream. one of the girls said she would buy the one not eating a cone. she replied "no, i don't want to be a burden"!!! i'm forever grateful for being able to hear that conversation. we got up, i handed her 20.00 and told her to buy herself a big ole' ice cream. she tried to give the money back but we scurried off.

i received more from that incounter then that girl ever will. it made me so happy!!!!!!!

Debbie said...

i have exceptional hearing......i really should proof read!!!!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Your post reminds me of the song Give Me Your Eyes.

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

You have His eyes, dear one.

Beth said...

Bless you Kim for taking the time to help two people in the store that needed you. HUGS!!

Kim said...

That is a sweet story Kim. But I am laughing a little because - yes, sometimes old men want to show you things you don't want to see. Oh the stories I could tell from our 2 months in the hospital. Oye!!!

Three Sheep Studio said...

What a touching story. I am always reminding myself to slow down and embrace the moment I am in. The simplest acts of kindness can mean so much to someone.
Rose

Debbie said...

Oh how I love to read of things like this! Your soo right of course. We need to keep our eyes open and our ears ready because I think there are a lot more of those divine appointments then we might think. Poor old man. He just needs someone to hear him. Glad you were there. Your heart is soo sensitive to others, and they sense it!

Kerin said...

You are a blessing to others!
A testament to serving others.
The blessings that others receive through our service, and also the blessings that come into our lives, through the service we give to others.
Each day, I pray that our Father in Heaven will bless me to be able to find those that need service, and that I might be able to be of service to them.
You my friend, see with your heart, as well as your eyes.

Have a sweet day.

K.

Kessie said...

Oh wow! I'm so glad you slowed down and talked to people! Like when I was big and pregnant with Claire, and a girl stopped me to ask what pregnancy and labor felt like.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

What a blessing you were to both those people. I go either way with adversity and think it depends upon my sleep and energy levels. Like Vince Lombardy said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all" and that's so true. I've always stopped and talked with people, sometimes more cheerfully than others and have always helped with doors, getting items from shelves, etc. I figure I'm casting bread upon the waters and, one day all too soon, thank God!, will be older than I am now. I want folks to help me so I help folks.
It shames me to know there are people in this frosty ole world who treat their elderly like burdens. The gentleman is proof; his idiot Dr. is casting bread upon the water and, when it returns, it's going to be moldy. Eventually we receive what we sent. I make it a point to never come home from errands without giving someone a compliment or helping someone. It doesn't have to be a big deal..."You have a lovely smile" or reaching for a can on the top shelf. This world is nasty cold and God uses us, when we let Him, to warm things up a big. God uses us, when we let Him, to give someone a glimpse of Glory.
God bless you Kim, for seeing needs and being the Jesus in someone's life.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

You were a blessing to both of those people. Bless You!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blossoms. Now a days people don't help others since they are busy with their own works. Nice of you helping the lady.
Take care of your health. My mother has undergone a surgery for hernia and she is doing good now!

Anonymous said...

What a satisfying shopping expedition! It's interesting that the first woman said No to your first offer to help, but you didn't take No for a final answer and she ended up being blessed by your kindness, and probably your attitude generally.

I love your flower photos!

Empty Nester said...

It's so true that, sometimes, all someone needs is for someone to listen. I can't imagine not having someone for that. Bless his heart- surely someone will do something for him. You're so kind-hearted!