All Because Of A Shopping Cart

I saw her struggling with the shopping carts.
She was desperately trying to pull one cart free from the others.
The cart was not budging.
The carts were all stuck together.

I was walking towards the carts, ready to get one of my own.
Whoever put these together, put them together good, she said as she pulled.
I saw a lone cart that someone had left near the entrance.
I went over towards it as the woman was still pulling and tugging.

She was a very tiny woman.
I saw her massage her hands after she pulled the carts that wouldn’t budge.
I went over to the lone cart; I pulled it towards her.
Here, take this one, I said as I turning the cart in her direction.

Thank you; that was very kind of you, she said sincerely.
They really jammed them in here good, she said again as she walked into the store.
Now it was my turn.
I went over to the line of shopping carts, imagining that I was much stronger.

The carts were stuck together.
They were not budging.
I actually pulled five carts out from the line.
The sixth cart released easily.

I walked into the store.
I saw the woman who had been outside moments before.
We both were buying our produce.
We found ourselves next to each other in front of the red and green peppers.

Oh, you got one! She said realizing it was me.
They were really stuck, I said.
I had to pull five carts out at once in order to get this one!
My hands don’t work as good as they used to, she said, unaware that she was massaging them.

These prices are really going up, she remarked.
They are, I agreed.
Every week things are more expensive, I added.
It’s just awful, she said.

Politics is not easily discussed, especially in front of the red and green peppers.
We touched lightly on the issues of the day.
We talked about speaking up and pushing back when we feel strongly about something.
We talked about the importance of voting if you want to see change.

We talked about the anger that is so prevalent, as I noticed that we were blocking the aisle.
It’s not that hard to be kind, I said.
Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone was kinder to each other? She said pensively.
Even though we are different, we are all made in the image of God, I declared.

You can see that I’m a tiny person, she said motioning with her hands.
I just had surgery, she told me as she grabbed some cucumbers.
I came through it just fine, but I bled out, she informed me.
I needed a blood transfusion, she said in a serious tone.

I think about it all the time, she added.
What do you think about? I asked her.
I think about the fact that I don’t know whose blood is flowing through my veins.
I wish I could meet them to thank them, she said.

We could be totally different, she stated.
We could be different races, different beliefs, different everything!
I could tell that she has thought long and hard about this situation.
But it doesn’t matter; that person’s blood is flowing in my veins and keeping me alive!

How wonderful, I said, pondering what she just shared.
Image bearers, I said to her, reiterating what I had said before.
If we could only be kinder, I added.
We could change the world, she said as she pushed her cart in another direction.

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  saying:

2 responses to “All Because Of A Shopping Cart”

1. This turned out so well! It is a great reminder how blood is truly life-saving, especially the blood of Jesus which gives us eternal life….

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   • Amen, Sue!

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