Groceries, Take Two

After posting about getting groceries two weeks ago, I thought I ought to post what happened last week when I went to Kroger for groceries.

This time I went with the $100 gift card we had received (at this point we didn't have anything else to use!).

I carefully selected our groceries (with Livia's help). We opted not to get the frozen onions nor the cottage cheese nor the jelly nor the blood oranges (my favorite!), nor the juice (for smoothies). We did choose extra nuts, which were on sale, and we had to get some diapers (which were on clearance!).

Again, I put everything on the conveyor belt in order of importance. (And, of course, sorted by type: cold, boxes, etc.) I DO like some organization! Livia and I were the only ones in "line" (can't have a line with just the two of us, can you?).

I had one coupon for $1.50 off.

Grand total before the last five items: $101.40

The cashier knew that I only had $100; I had told her that I needed to carefully watch the total as she neared $100. So I matter-of-factly told her that I wouldn't be getting the other items today. They weren't imperative: muffin liners, mixed salad, barley, and a second can of pumpkin. Unbeknownst to me, someone had joined us in line. I glanced back at a man in a faded, 80ish jean jacket with two orange crush sodas in his hand. "I'll get those," he said, gesturing toward the items still sitting on the questionable side of the scanner. The cashier looked at him quizzically, and he stated again, "I'll pay for those."

Then he asked me if there was anything else our family needed. "No," I assured him, this would cover our needs for the week.

And so I used up the $100 gift card and also came home with five other items that we did use this week. Once again, I left that store praising God. This time He allowed me to also thank the man, and to have a nice little conversation with him as we walked to our cars. My neediness was so apparent. . . and even though that can be terribly uncomfortable, it is also such a good place to be, because I'm receiving exactly what I need (even beyond groceries) in extraordinary ways.

This man said he thought that everybody ought to see a need and jump in like he did. He didn't look like he had extra money that he could spend $8 on my family, but he thought it was right to help when he could.

How refreshing and good for my spirit it is to see the best of human love.