May
22
2020
Grace Upon Grace
Posted in Daily Living 4 Comments
I saw a friend at the grocery store.
I had not seen her in a while.
I was delighted to see her face.
Though I only saw half of her face, since the other half was beneath a mask.
We talked on one of the aisles.
She was on one side.
I was on the other.
People kept pushing their carts between us as we stood there and talked.
We caught up a bit, there in front of the breakfast bars.
I see pictures of her grandchildren when she posts them.
I see pictures of her lovable dog and her cat, which just joined the family.
I have watched those two animals become friends, though they were a bit cautious at first.
My friend told me that she had surgery a year ago.
Something needed attention.
Surgery was one of two options.
She chose the surgery after much prayer.
The surgery took nine hours; the doctor deemed the surgery successful.
She was so grateful for the skill of her surgeon.
There in front of the breakfast bars, she praised the Lord.
In fact quite a few times, during our conversation, she praised the Lord.
I could see her moist eyes.
They were not tears of sadness I saw; rather they were tears of gratitude.
My friend is fine.
My friend is more than fine.
I just want to hug you, I said across the aisle.
Forgetting the pandemic, the masks, and the social distancing, we approached each other.
We hugged right there in the middle of the aisle.
A few people were at the top of the aisle looking at us.
Even behind their masks, I could see their disdain.
Even though half of their face was covered, I could see their disapproval.
One person even turned around and walked the other way.
I always heard hugs were contagious, though that person had another contagion in mind.
It felt so good to hug.
I wanted to yell: I’m hugging her because she is my friend.
I’m hugging her because she had successful surgery a year ago.
I’m hugging her because we both are grateful to the Lord for His mercy and protection.
I didn’t need to say anything.
The hug said it all.
There on the aisle, with the breakfast bars as our witness, we forgot about social distancing.
Right there, for just a minute, things felt normal again.
I walked to the produce section, ready to select my fruit and vegetables.
I saw a young woman with a paper and pen.
I knew that she worked in the produce department.
I walked up to her.
My husband and I love mandarins.
The mandarins I usually buy have not been there for the past two weeks.
I asked her about them.
We can’t get that kind, but we have these, she said pointing to a bag on the top shelf.
I bought those last week, I said, but they were very squishy.
When I opened the bag, two of them were bad.
The surrounding mandarins didn’t look too good either, I explained.
Oh, I’m so sorry, she said as she walked behind a counter.
I could see that she was writing something.
She came out and handed me a piece of paper.
She grabbed two containers of strawberries that were in my cart.
She took a marker and crossed out the UPC codes on the containers.
I am the produce manager, she told me.
Those strawberries are on me, she said.
I looked at the piece of paper she told me to give to the cashier.
Strawberries are on us today – exchange for a bad bag of mandarins. Do not charge.
Thank you, I said, touched by her kindness.
You’re welcome, she said, adjusting her mask.
Have a great day! She added.
You as well, I told her.
I had to go to one more little market.
At the checkout area, I stayed behind the blue line waiting to be called forward.
A woman was looking at something near the end of the aisle.
Are you in line? I asked her.
I am, she said, but you can go ahead of me, since you don’t have that many things.
Are you sure? I asked her.
I don’t mind waiting, I said and meant it.
Nonsense, she said, you go ahead.
Thank you so very much, I said smiling, though she could not see it.
I put my few items on the counter.
I put the little basket in the stack.
I paid for my items.
I looked back at her.
Thank you again for being so kind, I said.
My pleasure, she said, you have a lovely day.
You as well, I told her.
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (John 1:16)
Grace upon grace.
That is what I received.
A hug from a friend, two free cartons of strawberries, and an offer to go ahead in line.
I was so blessed.
I thought about my shopping trip as I drove home.
I thought of a quote from Jan Karon.
Lord, make me a blessing to someone today.
I was blessed by three people; I was the recipient of grace upon grace.
Was I also the giver of grace?
I hope so.
I truly hope so.
Often, we never know but that is how it should be.
God knows.
Yes, God knows.
Grace upon grace.
Lord, make me a blessing to someone today.
This is such a strange time. I have felt alternately judgemental of others and concerned that I’m doing enough social distancing myself. Would that our society cared as much about the danger of our sin to ourselves and others as we do about a virus.
Paula,
For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, this time is teaching us many things. I wonder what we will have learned when we are on the other side of this virus? Yes, these are strange times, but our God is always good.
Gina
Gina,
Such needed encouragement regarding the simple things at this most unusual time in our history. And hugs of friends is what many of us miss, I’m sure.
“Lord, make me a blessing today.”
Thank you!
Amen, Susie! We all have lots of long hugs to catch up on after this is over. It really doesn’t take much to be a blessing! I know you are a blessing to me.
Gina