Here is a true story.

A few weeks ago, a woman, her worn coat not warm enough for the weather,  approached me in a parking lot. I knew as soon as I looked at her what she was coming for. I raised my hands. “I have no change. I’m sorry.”

She stopped. Her eyes pleaded for understanding, “I don’t want money, just something to eat.”

I relaxed. “Of course.” I looked around me. “Want to go to Tim Horton’s?”

“No,” she said. She, too, looked around. “The dollar store. I can get food there. I missed the food bank last month. It’s Wednesday.”

“Let’s go.” I followed behind. She pushed the button to open the door. Inside she went straight to the food aisle. I got a cart. Slowly, we walked together down the aisle. Her hands hesitated as she  picked up the second can of meat that can be opened without a can opener. Two packages of dried soup in a bag dropped into the cart next. “I can heat water. It will be good to have something warm.” I picked up a jar of coffee. She shook her head and chose hot chocolate instead. With each item she looked back at me, seeking my permission. She chose only food that was easily accessed. She didn’t talk much, nor take much. She had a job to do and was focused.

We got to the end of the aisle. She turned around and headed for the cashier. As we stood in line, I asked her name.

“Lila.”

Lila picked up a small box of chocolate candy and looked at me.

“Sure. I’ve a sweet tooth, too.”

Her bag was full. The bill came to $18.00. Just $18.00 to keep her fed for the next three days. I wondered if there were others waiting to share her bounty, maybe even children at school for it was mid-day.  She didn’t say. Instead, she looked me in the eye and said, “Thank you. Thank you so much,” and scurried away.

“Thank you,” I whispered, as I watched her hurry across the parking lot, the bag clutched close to her heart. “Thank you for the opportunity to share, to count my blessings.” My thoughts turned to God and the chaos in the world. “Thank you, God. Help me never to take for granted the privilege in which I live. Keep my eyes and heart open for every opportunity to share.”

Today, as I write down my experience, I’m thinking, “All those books in my car. Why didn’t I reach in, open the box and offer her what she wanted of those as well? Food for her soul as well as her body. Next time.”

I offer this story to you. Open your eyes. Open your mind. Open your heart to the opportunities God gives you to share. Whether it’s being prepared with blessing bags, sharing a cup of coffee or giving a person the dignity of choice, God will surprise you with new experiences. We have so much. Our lives are short. We know not what is coming tomorrow. Give generously today. You’ll not regret it.