Choosing to Care
It was late at night sometime around December when my Mom asked me to go to the grocery store for her. To be honest, I don’t struggle all that much with being flexible due to being raised in a Pastor’s home with a dad who creates and changes plans constantly! lol But, I had already had a long day, and was not desiring to stay on my feet to walk the freezing cold aisles of Shop Rite. I semi willingly complied and went to the grocery store. I was frustrated as I walked through the aisles and I felt sorry for myself. I was going through all the reasons why this is so “annoying” and tried to tell myself, “oh well”. I truly was glad my Mom didn’t have to go, because I knew she was tired (she has MS). So I decided to be mature about it and just quickly finish the shopping. I checked out and walked towards the car in the freezing cold. Just as I finished loading my groceries, a man walked up to me…
A man I know God used to teach me a lesson. A very important one.
He has worked at Shop Rite for a while. My mom and I always try to be friendly to him.
It was 30 degrees tops that night, and he was working outside returning the carts. He had been working outside for hours. And you know what? After he is done there, he walks home. Walks. He has a limp.
“Can I get your cart for you?” he asked… My heart broke immediately. My chest ached and I choked up. Wow. How ungrateful did I feel! Here I am complaining… maybe not outwardly, but definitely inwardly. Complaining about having to go to a store, to get a lot of food, to load into a well working car, to drive home to a warm house, and to give to an incredible family… wow, so sacrificial of me!
I felt led to give him some cash and a tract from our church. As I drove away, tears kept flowing. How often do I walk by people that are hurting, people that are less fortunate than me, people that need love and attention, and get stuck in my own little world? We literally train ourselves to not see… to not care… We don’t have time, or we don’t have the energy…
Truth is, we are not choosing to see how Jesus sees on a daily basis. We don’t consume ourselves with loving how Jesus loves. We just need to get home and do all that we have to do. We just have so much on our own minds to think about, much less caring what’s on others minds.
How much would our churches, homes, and communities change if we would allow ourselves to actually care? But most importantly, how much would we change if we allowed ourselves to care…
Jesus was the friend of sinners, perhaps my favorite title He possesses. He was known for his heart and love for people. If I had to guess, that man from Shop Rite still feels thankful when he sees me. He most likely won’t forget my extra appreciation that I showed him. And you know what, it was so humbling for me.
I had to get out of my own world! My own head! My own wants! I had to allow myself to see how Jesus would see that man.
Challenge yourself daily to care- to truly care about others.