Excuse Me, Sir!?
On the way home from work the other day, I stopped at the local super center. I was in a hurry and wanted to be in and out as fast as I possibly could. Funny how it never seems to happen that way. Someday I will be able to send an email ahead of time, telling them what I want and what time I will be there. They will email back the number of the check out counter and I will just have to pay for it. Better yet, I will be able to pay for it online, they will email me when it is ready and how long they will hold it for me. I will then be able to pick it up like I do at the library. That would be nice. Or maybe I just need to put blinders on as I walk through the store.
Anyway, I digress. Back to my story. I did not make it out as fast as I wanted to so when I was loading the back of my car and saw a lady approaching, I started judging. At the same time, I started chastising myself after reading Elder Packer's talk from conference. I should not judge. I should be willing to share with those in need. At least this is what I was telling myself.
When she got to the back of my car, she stopped and said, "Excuse me, Sir?!...do you have a moment?"
I stopped what I was doing and looked up, waiting for her to continue.
She started humming and hawing. "Well, this is not easy for me to do. I am so embarrassed to even ask. I don't normally do this. It is just that my daughter and I are on passing through...I am so ashamed to even ask, but could you spare a few dollars so we could get a room for the night?"
First of all, it is like 3 o'clock in the afternoon. And where is your daughter? Passing through? From where, do you have a car? Where are you going? STOP. Don't judge. I sometimes have a challenge with this.
I started explaining to her that I did not have any cash on my person, when her cellphone rang. She held up her up her finger to stop me and said, "Excuse me, this is important, I need to take it."
She then turned her back and walked into the super center while she talked on the phone. I was dumbfounded. What?! What had just transpired? I found myself suddenly left to my own thoughts again. I did not know what to think. My mind kept going back to Elder Packer. How can I be more like him?
As I exited the parking lot, I noticed a really nice mini van parked at the curb, making very difficult to see on coming traffic. The side door opened and the passenger got out to help a little old lady out of the van and get situated with her walker. The young passenger escorted the feeble lady to the corner, took her walker, handed her a sign, jumped back in the van, and drove away.
Again, my head started spinning. What am I supposed to do? I have been thinking about this a great deal as of late. How am I supposed to know who and how to help? Am I being to harsh? Should I just stop thinking and do? What do you think?
I would like your thoughts.
Anyway, I digress. Back to my story. I did not make it out as fast as I wanted to so when I was loading the back of my car and saw a lady approaching, I started judging. At the same time, I started chastising myself after reading Elder Packer's talk from conference. I should not judge. I should be willing to share with those in need. At least this is what I was telling myself.
When she got to the back of my car, she stopped and said, "Excuse me, Sir?!...do you have a moment?"
I stopped what I was doing and looked up, waiting for her to continue.
She started humming and hawing. "Well, this is not easy for me to do. I am so embarrassed to even ask. I don't normally do this. It is just that my daughter and I are on passing through...I am so ashamed to even ask, but could you spare a few dollars so we could get a room for the night?"
First of all, it is like 3 o'clock in the afternoon. And where is your daughter? Passing through? From where, do you have a car? Where are you going? STOP. Don't judge. I sometimes have a challenge with this.
I started explaining to her that I did not have any cash on my person, when her cellphone rang. She held up her up her finger to stop me and said, "Excuse me, this is important, I need to take it."
She then turned her back and walked into the super center while she talked on the phone. I was dumbfounded. What?! What had just transpired? I found myself suddenly left to my own thoughts again. I did not know what to think. My mind kept going back to Elder Packer. How can I be more like him?
As I exited the parking lot, I noticed a really nice mini van parked at the curb, making very difficult to see on coming traffic. The side door opened and the passenger got out to help a little old lady out of the van and get situated with her walker. The young passenger escorted the feeble lady to the corner, took her walker, handed her a sign, jumped back in the van, and drove away.
Again, my head started spinning. What am I supposed to do? I have been thinking about this a great deal as of late. How am I supposed to know who and how to help? Am I being to harsh? Should I just stop thinking and do? What do you think?
I would like your thoughts.
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