These Days

I was behind her in line.
I visit this particular thrift store in my place of rejuvenation.
I can always find old tins, odd dishes, and Revere Ware pots to add to my mother’s set.
I counted heads as I stood behind her.

Five children standing and one in a coach were shopping with her.
The woman was with her own mother, so three generations were present.
I ran into them upstairs among the toys and the books.
Her younger children were having fun looking through the things on the shelf.

There were blue shopping baskets in a line on the floor.
The mother was pushing a small cart that the store provides.
She had things hanging off the back of the stroller.
I remember doing that same thing when I had someone in a coach.

People were lining up behind me.
We were all behind this woman.
It wasn’t until I looked down that I could see the many things she was buying.
A man behind me was getting visibly annoyed.

The grandmother purchased her things.
She talked to the Mennonite woman who was at the cash register.
Yes, these are all my grandchildren, she said proudly in answer to a question.
No, I only had one daughter, she said pointing to the mother of the group.

I saw the children fumble through their basket and look at the things they were buying.
As I watched, I realized that each child was allowed to buy things for themselves.
And then I saw their money.
They each had plastic bags filled with nickels, dimes, and quarters.

The man behind me sighed loudly.
One of the little girls met my gaze.
It looks like you have some wonderful things, I said looking towards her basket.
Yes, I do. We are allowed to spend our money here, she said in a matter of fact way.

I wondered how they all earned their money.
She began again, I’m ten and he’s twelve and she’s…
She told me all of their ages and their names.
Her older brother corrected her in a voice that cracked; I’m almost thirteen, next week.

The littlest one in the stroller wanted to be a part of the conversation.
He dropped a toy he was holding to get my attention.
I picked it up for him and handed it to him, receiving the biggest smile.
He dropped it again; He’ll do that all day, his sister informed me.

I remember.
I saw myself in this woman.
I went back in time to many shopping excursions where payment was made in dollar bills.
Those memories are some of the sweetest times.

She was trying to answer each of her children as they asked her something.
She was making sure that everything in her cart was something she had put there.
She seemed grateful that I was talking to her children as she placed items on the counter.
She was buying clothes, books, and school supplies, however nothing seemed to be for her.

Why don’t you go ahead of my children, she said seeing that I only had three things.
I don’t mind waiting, I said and I meant it.
No, you go ahead, and she moved her head to look at the man behind me.
And you can go as well; we will be here a while.

He grumbled a thank you without a smile.
The little girl spoke up again.
We come here when we have some spending money.
We get to put things in our own basket.

I looked at some of the toys they selected.
I looked at some of the books they would be reading.
Everything was used but everything was in good shape.
This would bring them hours of pleasure.

The Mennonite woman behind the counter had made a friend with the little one in the coach.
What is his name, she asked the mother.
Gabriel, the mother said.
Gabriel, the angel who told Mary she would give birth to Jesus, the Mennonite woman said.

I smiled, but not because of the name, or the children, or the memories.
I smiled because God makes Himself known.
God weaves Himself into every conversation.
God is the main character of every story.

The people in line heard more than they bargained for.
The people in line saw a woman who received children as a gift from God.
The people in line saw a woman teaching her children the value of hard earned money.
The people in line saw a woman of grace.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

My few things were placed in a bag.
The mother was moving a strand of hair that had fallen on her face.
She would be there a while.
The man behind me was positioning himself against the counter.

I reached around him and touched her arm.
You have a beautiful family, I said and I meant it.
These days go by much too quickly, I commented more to me than to her.
Much too quickly, I said to myself as I walked to my car.

I received a family text as I got into my car.
I smiled at the words and at the one who sent it.
In the next few minutes, my phone would ding as each one answers the other.
Those days went by much too quickly, but I am in these days.

These days are now.
These days have such sweetness.
These days are about making new memories.
These days are good.

God makes Himself known.
God weaves Himself into every conversation.
God is the main character of every story.
And I smiled.

 

2 responses to “These Days”

1. Interesting the story of an every day happening but it was an encouraging act to the mother and her children and yes, God is woven into the everyday by just such circumstances. Thanks for sharing

   Reply

   • Ruthann,
     Simple moments become holy moments because God is there.
     Gina

     Reply