Menu
I’ve been saving this incredible story to post in time for Thanksgiving. It seems the right moment to share with you an encounter that I experienced on Friday, October 27th with someone that I did not know but surely will never forget.
And so join me as I go back to that time making my way through the morning hours of doing chores. Our first stop:
We all know what it is to rush about and try to get all our chores done in a short amount of time. I was very happy to have whipped through the aisles in a local supermarket and get on line quickly with my groceries.
The cashier was friendly and fast and I knew I would be moving on to my next stop shortly. However, when I went to get my charge card out of my wallet, it was not there! I remembered exactly where it was! It was home! I did have my checkbook with me but my friendly cashier delivered the words I didn’t want to hear – “we don’t take checks – Sorry!”
She promptly advised me that I could put my shopping cart aside and come back and get my groceries. Then all of a sudden a lightbulb went off in my head. I realized I had put cash into my wallet before leaving the house and had enough to cover this bill and would not need to come back. Alleluia!!!
My next stop was to get stickers for my grandson’s Halloween card and the card shop was at the other end of the parking lot…..so join me once again with the next chore of that day:
As I entered into the store, I smelled the most delightful smell of brewing coffee or so it seemed. Asking the store clerk if they were now offering fresh brewed coffee of which I could use one – a much needed cup of caffeine to jar the memory – she responded with “oh no! – they are candles in coffee cups!” She then added, “and they aren’t even lit!”
The smell captured my senses and after finding out where they were, I rushed down the aisle to find them. They had the most wonderful aroma and I chose one making my way back up to the register with candle and Halloween stickers in hand.
There was definitely a memory lapse here or the coffee smell just put me into another zone!
Again I took my wallet out to pay for my items. Yikes as I say! I did not have a charge card and at this point I had just $4.00 left in my wallet. Same repeat conversation again that I had in the supermarket asking if they took personal checks and the same response, “no we don’t take checks – we can put these items aside until you come back!”
As I was about to give up, leave the items behind and walk out of the store, I heard a small voice say, “may I take care of those things for you? I couldn’t believe my ears!
I did not know this young woman nor did I want her to pay my bill. I can only use this word to describe my feelings and it was to be “flabbergasted!”
“Oh…thank you so much but I couldn’t let you do that!” I responded.
“Why not? she replied….”then you don’t have to come back!”
At this point we were drawing a little crowd around us and it was like a ping pong game going back and forth with our conversation. I was so touched that this person whom I never met before would reach out to me in this most generous way. However, I just couldn’t let her pay for my items.
I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I said, “God bless you and thank you so much for being so kind,” and quickly left the store.
As I made my way to the car, I was thinking of what I could I do for this woman. I wanted to reach out to her and show my appreciation as she had just reached out to me. In my car, I had a beautiful image of St. Michael the Archangel and decided to pull up near the card shop hoping to bump into her as she left the store.
The timing was perfect. As I quickly opened my car door, there was the woman coming out of the door of the card shop. She spotted me and yelled out, “I’m so happy I didn’t miss you!” She was motioning to me with a bag in her hands. She had purchased my items and as we came together in the parking lot she handed the bag to me.
I cannot express in words what was felt during that moment. It was eye contact between both of us and an understanding of what had just happened without verbalizing it.
It was as if the veil to the Heavenly Kingdom was parted for us. We were standing on a black asphalt parking lot in a strip mall, but in my heart and I know in hers – we both felt we were standing on “Holy Ground.” Handing her the prayer card of St. Michael, she immediately knew who he was and she felt for a medal around her neck. I introduced myself and asked her what her name was. . .
What was it?
What does that name mean?
It means a
“Follower of Christ.”
“A true disciple – an anointed one”
Well, those meanings of her name certainly fit the bill of who I met that day smelling the coffee but truly I would be smelling more than that. I would smell “the aroma of charity.”
Christine purchased my coffee cup candle but she purchased far more than that in the Heavenly Kingdom.
Christine was the real deal. She was in the “moment” and was “listening” to see what was happening steps away from her. She was “seeing” an opportunity after “listening” to step up to the plate and give of herself to another. . .a total stranger.
She made an impact that morning not only for me but for all those who were present and “listening” themselves and “seeing.” It was a lesson in kindness. It was a lesson in love for a neighbor in need and incredible generosity on Christine’s part.
Let us reflect now on the following words of scripture from St. Luke’s Gospel – 18:35-43
“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.”
This scripture was the Gospel reading for this past Monday, November 20th. The homily delivered that day was one that struck a chord with me and took me back to my encounter with Christine.
You see, our priest – Fr. Rooney during his homily – spoke of the man being blind but he probably listened very intently. Hmmm….that truly moved me……that the blind man was a good listener because he couldn’t see.
It made me ponder the thought if I, myself, listen intently as Christine did that Friday in the card shop. She “listened” to “see” and to act upon a situation that brought forth charity on a grand scale.. .a heavenly scale. She touched my heart but I’m quite sure she touched all those around her especially when she purchased my items.
The blind man in the scripture from Luke – he listened to see. He acted upon what he was hearing and what came forth from his action? His sight!
Christine was “another Christ” for me that morning not because she paid for a coffee cup candle but for her action which was so palpable to my heart.
Kindness matters.
Love matters.
Good deeds matter.
I dedicate this posting to Christine and also to Christine Watkins who is also another “Christ,” a true disciple.
May we all be “other Christs” to each other – lifting the veil and seeing the Heavenly Kingdom in our ordinary chores and the random acts of kindness that are the fruit of our labors. May we always labor for each other in great acts of thanksgiving.
We are just walking each other home – aren’t we?
How beautiful to do it with love in our hearts and smiles on our faces
and most of all to
“LISTEN TO SEE”
AS CHRISTINE
DID SO
GRACEFULLY AND BEAUTIFULLY!
2023©Anita Guariglia
Photo Credits/ Featured Image – Pixabay
Coffee Candle/Anita Guariglia
St. Michael’s Prayer Card/ Center of Life Religious Store
Other images – Pinterest
Scripture from Luke 18:35-43 – The Magnificat Prayerbook
8 Responses
Oh my Angel friend what a beautiful story. This touched my heart so deeply. And yes everything we say and do matters (even what don’t say and do and should) and it all has a ripple effect, but I t is up to us, by the free will given to us by our Heavenly Father, what kind of ripple effect we choose to cause. Christine made a choice on October 27th, a choice whose ripple effect will stretch far and wide, soaring up to the heavens where our Lord is smiling down saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant…” touching and inspiring the hearts of many for her selfless Act of Random Kindness (ARK — coincidence? I don’t think so!!)
Christine – a Christ-bearer and so she certainly lived up to her given name!
I am grateful to proclaim “Christ” through her good deed that day to all I meet now!
God Bless You:)
Mmm! I love the scent of unselfish love. I read or heard lately that our sins smell to high heavens and when we go before God for our judgement, often there is a stench to the Most High. I see acts of Charity as the opposite. They have a fresh, re-vitalizing scent that invigorates not just the doer’s soul but the souls of all around. Such a beautiful telling of a truly lovely moment of grace.
Yes, Frances, it was a fragrance I will never forget much like incense floating up to Heaven….
What a beautiful heavenly encounter! May we all be “other Christ’s” as we journey together to our eternal home!
Amen! Alleluia:)
I’m always touched and moved by your writings, Anita, but this one will remain in my heart. Your beautiful encounter was expressed so exquisitely. All we think, say or do causes an effect and only before our Creator will we see those effects. Thank you for helping us to listen and see. I think Christine was an angel sent to inspire you to spread this heavenly message, and you did it perfectly.
I wrote it for her and for all the “Christine’s” and future Christine’s…..All Christ-bearers to bring LIGHT:)
Thank you for your kind words and comments. God Bless You:)