Hello, Monday! I’m sure none of us are fooled that {you} Monday arrived an hour earlier. Not complaining because I know the days are getting longer and that means spring and summer are knocking on the door. Hello, there! Please come in and fill the entire space of my life with your blue skies and sunshine. It’s coming soon, my friends!
Well, I’m glad you’re here because I have a story (maybe two) to share. Are you like me and always feel like you’re “just so busy?” Sometimes I wonder what keeps me busy or am I really busy at all? A reality check is more like I’m NOT that busy but the clock ticking away time can cause me to feel anxious if I think I’m going to be late. Late for ANYTHING, but specifically and especially work.
Thus was my truth on Friday. I drove to work and exited my car with plenty of time to get my Friday latte with almond milk. I went into my favorite local coffee spot. They know me and repeat my order to me before I can order. I swipe my card and immediately my drink is ready. They saw me coming and started my latte in advance. Oh, how I love being a regular and efficient all in one. On my way, to a good day! I exited and began to head across the street to the office when what to my ears and eyes should appear? A man asking for money. Nope, I can’t help and kept my Friday bounce in my step because, well, it’s FriYaY, friends!
Immediately, the words of Scripture began to run through my mind. It was about helping others. But I continued to walk into the building and into the office. I put my things down and knew I had plenty of extra time. Went back across the street and asked the man if he was hungry. Of course, he was! Duh…I went into the coffee shop and ordered a breakfast sandwich and a coffee for the man sitting outside in the cool temps. Those sweet people who had my latte ready said they would take the sandwich and coffee out to him so of course, I would not be late for work. Thank you, sweet people! I made my exit spoke to the man and let him know breakfast and hot coffee were coming. I also gave him some cash for lunch. Is he going to purchase something questionable with that five bucks? Maybe, but that’s not my problem. My concern is for me to be available and listen when the Lord is trying to get my attention. He used a few of the words from this verse to stop me, help me notice someone in need because I’m really “Just NOT so Busy!”
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. ~ Hebrews 13:16
My other story involves trying to be efficient yet again. This time I used Instacart and ordered grocery pick up with Aldi. Y’all this experience was a disaster. Order wrong. Over two hours trying to get it corrected. Groceries will be delivered to you. It did not happen. They charged my credit card so many times, it got locked down. Then they reordered my order for pick up and sent it to the wrong store…Oh, my goodness! Those are just the highlights. I still have to contact them again for my refund and finish the fiasco. I have no words…I’m speechless to relay the depth of my defeat in just trying to get my groceries because I’m just so busy, y’all…
Oh, friends! Have the best week! I hope you have moments to “see” people and not live life on a treadmill. I hope you don’t lose your mind with grocery pick-up or delivery.
Moral of my stories: Sometimes I see humans and notice the struggles of those in my community. Other times {read the next day}, I lose my mind over groceries. The struggle of being human is real.
Blessings to you! Carrie
Where I’m linking up.
Kellyann Rohr says
Oh Carrie, that was so kind of you to help that man, God bless you, that is exactly what we’re supposed to do and yet we find a million reasons to go on about our day without thinking twice. And you are right – the money you gave him for lunch may or may not be used as you had intended but that is not your problem. But what a fiasco with the grocery order, I cannot believe it!
Happy Monday friend!
xo,
Kellyann
Carrie says
Thank you, Kellyann! It just takes a moment and yet I typically see nothing except my schedule. Hopefully, I’m changing!
Shelley says
Carrie! Thank you for being a
Such an amazing Human! I am so happy that God put you in my life. Have a wonderful week.
Carrie says
Thank you for this sweet comment. Made me choke up…such kind words. Hope all is well in FC. Miss you!
Steve L says
Such a great thing to do! What may seem a small amount of time or money can make such a difference to those in need.
#dreamteamlinky
Carrie says
Thank you!
Jennifer Smith says
Much encouragement for me today. How often do I pride myself on being efficient (and especially give myself an extra pat on the back for being early) but I forget my humanity? I (efficiently) walk right past a world in need. Oh my. Thanks for a stark reminder. Much blessings –
Carrie says
I am in my own world so much of the time that I truly miss humanity all around me. The moments when I remember the world is not about is rare and a time for celebration.
Leslie Susan Clingan says
What a feel good story about the man outside the coffee shop with an important morale. I don’t often give money to those on street corners, but I have bought food for them. And you are right we can only give the money, the food and what they choose to do with it is out of our control. I do get frustrated seeing folks asking for money while smoking cigarettes and talking on a cell phone. But it isn’t my place to judge. I do try to say hello. Everyone deserves to be seen and acknowledged. So thank you for all you did.
My daughter had encouraged me to apply to work for Instacart. I applied, trained and was hired but it is not popular in the part of El Paso where I live so I would have been driving across the city. That was worrisome to me as was delivering to complete strangers. All in all, I decided I would rather not make that money!!
Hope this Fri-YAY is joyful!
Carrie says
Friend, I’m so glad you are delivering groceries! I really don’t think things like that are safe.
Annette, 3 Little Buttons says
I really needed to read this today. Carrie, this is so wonderful of you to have gone back and bought breakfast for the hungry man. I’m exactly the same with being late, it’s the worst feeling. And sometimes it can be all too easy to miss what’s right in front of you when you’re rushing and being ‘very busy’ trying to be on time. A beautiful gesture. Thank you for sharing such a heartwarming post with the #DreamTeamLinky
Carrie says
Thank you, Annette! I’m thankful for you that you can relate to being late thing. It’s real!
April J Harris says
This is a very timely post, Carrie, and such good advice too. We do all need to slow down. I’m so glad you were able to help the hungry man, that is wonderful. I’m sorry about your groceries though!! Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party community. Take care and stay well.
Carrie says
Thank you, April for stopping by and encouraging comment. Hope you’re having a great day!
Shelbee on the Edge says
Carrie, this is such a wonderful post and such a great lesson for all of us to maybe slow down a bit and take notice of things around us, things that we don’t pay attention to and maybe need to. I just wrote an article on Medium on the topic of compassionate recognition and how important it is to do these things for the sake of humanity. Thanks so much for sharing your light with the world!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com