Priceless
I caught up with Freeda recently; my contentedly single friend from my post titled “I’m Just Me!”. I had wondered if our next conversation might find her espousing the wonders of unexpected romantic love.
Well, as she walked towards me the other day she was positively glowing. I was convinced we were about to enjoy a conversation about all things rainbows and unicorns. I could not have been further from the mark.
It didn’t take her long to pour out her story. She announced that a few days prior she had finally had the opportunity to do something that she had wanted to do for a long time.
She had secretly paid for someone’s groceries.
Freeda’s trip to the shops had begun a little uncertainly. Her car wouldn’t start, which was concerning since it is almost brand new. However, eventually the engine kicked over and she cautiously drove the short distance to the shopping centre, praying all the way that it wouldn’t stall. Like me, she has vivid memories of her childhood when cars stalling in inconvenient places was an everyday worry.
While waiting in line at the checkout she noticed a lady standing to the side with a small boy standing with her, and a pile of items off to the side of the counter. The lady seemed distressed and, after coming to an arrangement with the cashier she walked out of the shop with her boy, weeping.
Freeda jumped at the opportunity to pay for the lady’s groceries before she came back. She told me that the cashier said she had made his day - and of course, made the lady’s day. My friend laughingly said, “Forget them! It made MY day!”
She then apparently continued on to the second supermarket and found herself chuckling as she again lined up to be served. While waiting she had been praying that God would make her car start. The irony of having just helped someone out when she possibly needed help herself was rather comical.
Thankfully her car did start, but then so did the arguments in her head as she drove home. She desperately wanted to tell someone of what had just occurred but knew that not everyone would understand.
Freeda is on a low income and a few times over the years has very gratefully received financial assistance from various people. Some may think she was foolish to “waste” her money in such a way.
She once told me that she’d like to be in a financial situation that enables her to help people out as she comes across them. She has a column in her budget for just such occasions and her moment in the supermarket the other day was covered by that budget. She won’t miss the money.
The amount of the lady’s groceries was roughly 5% of Freeda’s monthly income - a lot of money to her. But it was worth $1million to the lady that day. And for her young boy to have a moment of feeling safe - there is no price.
In case you’re wondering, the subject of Freeda’s marital status did not arise during our conversation. There was no need. Her joy at having been able to help a stranger was producing more than enough happiness for both of us.
Nikki
