So, yesterday I bit the bullet and made my way to the dreaded grocery store. I admit, I've been slacking on this whole food shopping thing lately. Let's be real, who actually enjoys wandering the aisles and deciding what to cook for dinner? Not me! But hey, I'm trying to get my act together and get back in shape. Plus, it's way easier to keep track of my calories when I'm the one in control of the ingredients.
Anyways I fill my cart up, loading it up with all the goodies I need (and some I don’t lol). As I head to the checkout line, I can't help but shake my head at my own decision-making skills. Instead of saving some cash by driving a few extra miles to Aldi, I chose the convenience of Publix. Sure, their prices are double or triple what I'd pay at Aldi, but at least I get fancy grocery bags, a shorter drive, and top-notch customer service. So, it’s worth it, right?
As I impatiently stand in line, I watch as the person in front of me fumbles with their payment, taking what feels like an eternity to finish their transaction. Of course, they just had to be on the phone, making the whole process even slower. Typical. I can feel my irritation growing (I swear, I have the worst luck when it comes to picking lines). In my head, I can't help but think, "Why do I always end up in the longest, most excruciating line? FYI, I have a hatred for lines, if I go somewhere and there is a line I will usually leave.
As he finally wraps up his never-ending transaction, I walk up to the cashier, only to be hit with some unexpected news: "Today is your lucky day," she exclaims with a sly grin. Turns out, a kind soul who had been waiting in line earlier took one look at me and my lil’ sidekick and decided to leave behind $100 to cover our grocery tab. I was caught off guard, to say the least. Who knew random acts of kindness could be so dang surprising and heartwarming? I made sure to pass on my gratitude to the cashier, asking her to deliver my sincere thanks to the person if they ever crossed paths again.
Can you believe it? I'm just casually strolling with Izaiah chillin' in the cart when out of nowhere, this reckless driver decides to play a game of chicken with us! I had to do a ninja move to avoid getting hit, all while yelling at her to stop. And get this, instead of apologizing, she starts cracking up like it's the funniest thing ever! I mean, really? Who laughs after almost running someone over? She must have missed the memo on basic human decency. But hey, at least I got some unexpected cardio in dodging her crazy antics. Some people, I tell ya.
Then the craziest thing happened! I’m pushing the cart with Izaiah chillin’ on the bottom rack of the cart, when this reckless driver pulls out without even looking and decides to play a game of chicken with us! I had to do a ninja move to avoid getting hit, all while yelling at her to stop. And get this, she starts laughing like it's the funniest thing ever! I mean, really? She could have at least waited until she drove off and I couldn’t hear her laughing (I struggle with laughing myself in inappropriate moments, so I can’t judge her too bad here lol). But hey, at least I got some unexpected cardio in dodging her crazy antics. Some people, I tell ya.
She was less than an inch from hitting us, I had to jump backwards and pull the cart with me, as I started yelling for her to stop. Luckily, she slammed on her brakes and I moved in time, but when she realized that she almost hit us she started laughing!! Then drives past us and as she laughs some more she tells me she is sorry. Let me tell you, if this was back in the day and I didn’t have Jesus, the outcome of this situation would have gone completely different. But thankfully, I had Jesus keeping me level-headed and left it at, “Okay.” And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, the Holy Spirit chimed in, “Come on, I just had someone bless you with free groceries, do you think I was going to let it end on you getting run over?” 🤣
Well, I've got to admit, normally a petty annoyance like that would've sent me into a full-on spiral for hours on end. I might have even stewed in my own irritation for the rest of the evening. But that random act of kindness in Publix outweighed the negative and saved the day! I didn't let the negativity bring me down. Instead, I decided to give props to the Man Upstairs for His goodness and for using others to spread love.
I couldn't stop gushing about how angelic and kind that person was. I was buzzing with excitement, itching to pay it forward and be someone else's secret Santa. Being a secret blessing is my favorite - catching people off guard and making their day without them even knowing it was me? I love it! I live for those sneaky acts of kindness.
Feeling inspired to spread some kindness? Here are some simple ideas for you:
- Pay for someone’s food at a restaurant - especially if you spot an elderly person or a veteran dining alone.
- Offer to mow your neighbor's yard (or hire a local kid to do it) - that way, two people get blessed .
- Babysit for a few hours for someone who could really use a break and doesn't have a strong support system. It's like a mini vacation for them!
- Whip up some snack or personal hygiene bags, stash them in your car, and hand them out to those in need. Spread the love wherever you go!
- Leave a generous tip, especially when you see the waiter is having a rough day.
- Volunteer your skills (graphic design, tutoring, gardening, etc.) for free to someone who can benefit from them.
- Give a stranger a compliment. You never know, it could be the pick-me-up they desperately needed in that exact moment.
Kindness isn’t just a random act; it’s a lifestyle, a light that cuts through the dull, sometimes tough grind of our everyday lives. And it’s a little fun to do too.
Let's face it, grocery shopping and cooking are not exactly at the top of my list of favorite activities (come on, who actually enjoys it?). But surprisingly, even in the aisles of a supermarket, kindness has a sneaky way of shining through. Just when I thought my trip to Publix was going to be another mundane task, a random act of generosity completely turned things around. Not only did the stranger's kindness save me some cash, but it also managed to light up my day, lift my spirits, and restore my faith in humanity all in one go. Who knew a trip to the grocery store could be so heartwarming?
This encounter got me thinking about the ripple effect of kindness. Just think about it: what if we all made a conscious effort to commit just one small act of kindness every day? It could be as easy as buying a stranger's coffee, giving a heartfelt compliment, or flashing a smile. These acts have the power to transform not just someone’s moment but potentially their entire day. And who knows? Maybe they’ll be inspired to pay it forward, creating a beautiful chain reaction of goodwill and generosity. The world could use a little more positivity, don't you think? 🌟💫
In the middle of the day, when suddenly a near-miss incident in the parking lot nearly gave me a heart attack (thank God for my lightning-fast reflexes), it was a great reminder of the delicate balance between grace and grit in our lives. Despite the potential danger, the kindness I had experienced earlier in the day helped me let go of anger and embrace gratitude instead. It just goes to show how a little bit of kindness can totally shift our perspective and make us focus on what truly matters.
The Bible talks a lot about kindness, framing it as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It's not just about being nice; it's about being a walking, talking embodiment of the love and compassion that Jesus showed us. Through His example, we see that kindness has the power to break down barriers, heal wounds, and bring light to the darkest of days. It's a reflection of God's love for us, a tangible expression of our faith in action.
So, as we go about our lives, let’s challenge ourselves to unleash this superpower of kindness. All it takes is a quick moment, a small gesture, or a few simple words to make someone's day. And let me tell you, the impact of our kindness can last a lifetime. We have the power to be the light in someone's day, the reason they smile, and in doing so, we are glorifying God through our actions. Because at the end of the day, kindness is more than just a random act; it’s a testament to the beauty and resilience of the human spirit, fueled by our faith and the endless grace of our Creator.
Next time you're stuck waiting in line at the grocery store, feeling like a busy bee with no time to spare, hold up! Take a moment to pause. Who knows? Maybe there’s an opportunity for kindness waiting right there, between the aisles, ready to turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary testament to God's enduring love and grace.
Ready to level up your daily interactions with a sprinkle of kindness? 💫Take a cue from that special someone who turned a mundane moment into a blessing for you. I challenge you to seek out opportunities to spread joy and light up someone's day.
Share your acts of kindness with us using the hashtags #FaithLeagueKindness and #FaithLeagueLife. Let's make the world a brighter place together! 🌟 #SpreadKindness #ShareTheLove.
Stay strong and stay faithful,
Cora