The Lord has a field day at Walmart

   

     My daughter, Corrie, made this quilt for me for Mother's Day. The pieces fit together right, the same way life does when we invite the Lord to work in our life.

    I had two Walmart double-bagged bags in my cart. There wasn't enough room to put them into my truck. The man in the car beside me said, "I'll put those in for you."
     "Thanks!"
     A wee girl in his car said, "That was nice."
     "Yes it was."
     I headed to my driver's side and couldn't get in. A sedan was trying to back out. "Wait, just give me a minute."
     Behind my truck I checked the traffic and did my best Goldilocks impression. That truck is too fast. The second one isn't much better. Oh, that van is just right. I put my open palm up for the driver to stop five parking spaces back. He and his passenger broke into wide smiles.
     As I approached the sedan, the noise level was that of a flock of hungry birds. The couple were talking all over each other and glowing, literally. I peeked in, "You can go now." 
     She said, "Nobody has ever done anything like this for us." 
     "You're welcome."
     They went on their way. The van pulled in. I got in my truck. The first man was standing where he could see in my windshield. His arms were lighty crossed. His smile was soft.
      I muttered to my left, "What do I do now, Lord?"
     "Roll the window down."
     Out of my mouth came, "We were people helping people. That's what World Peace looks like."

2018 ©️Red Convertible Travel Series

People Helping People = Peace on Earth

Foam wasp and hornet killer wasn't in the aisle with household cleaners at Walmart. The clerk I'd asked in housewares found it in the Garden center and hunted me down. That's service!

When I got to our truck, I couldn't get in. The man in the car on my passenger side said, "I'll put those in for you." The little girl with him said, "That was nice."
"Yes it was."

I couldn't get in my driver's side because the driver of the car beside me was trying to back out. I motioned for them to stop. They couldn't see over my truck. I checked the traffic and stopped it. When I told them it was safe to back out, they were filled with joy. "Nobody has ever done that for us!" Those who stopped pulled into the space with wide smiles, too. So was I.

When I backed out, I rolled the passenger window down to the man on my right. "We were people helping people, that's what peace on earth looks like." He nodded and smiled.

©️2018 Red Convertible Travel Series

Jesus used a 6-yr. old to answer my prayer

Earlier this week I made our monthly grocery run to Walmart. My cart was so full, I had to use a second one. I felt like a mule tethered to a one-bottom plow trying to slice into virgin prairie. Where's another mule when you need one?
"Jesus, I need help."
A little boy ahead and to my left turned around and walked straight to me. "Do you need help?"
"Yes."
He looked to his mom. She and I exchanged smiles; she nodded to him it was okay.

Walking to my car, he said, "I'm six years old. I go to Friar's Point Elementary School. I'm graduating from Kindergarten soon."
"That's great! Do you like to read?"
He frowned. "Not so much in school." His eyes widened. "I just read 'Biscuit' by myself!"
"Good for you!"

He intended to unload his cart into my car, but he wasn't tall enough to reach anything. His mom drove up."Do you need some help?"
"That's ok. I 'll get it." Why is it so hard to accept help? "Yes, thank you, I do need help."

It took us ten minutes to empty both carts. We ended with a hug. I thanked her and told her she was doing a great job with her son, and I'd tipped him.

Never underestimate the "Power of Prayer." People helping people = Peace on Earth

©️2018 Red Convertible Travel Series

Random Acts of Kindness

I volunteer to read to second graders at Kirkpatrick School in Clarksdale, MS. It's the highlight of my week. My intent is to inspire them to read and learn more. They're generous with hugs and love letters.

St. Paul's Methodist Church adopted Kirkpatrick school. We provide cookies or cupcakes, lemonade and achievement stickers for over 100 K-4 children each quarter. I peel the stickers off and stick them on their shirt. Each child gets one and a compliment on their achievement.

I wore a few leftover stickers to Walmart. It didn't take long to find a frazzled clerk trying to restock first aid. "You look like you could use a sticker." She burst into a smile just short of tears, "I needed that!"

The day of our Peace March, I came around an aisle in Kroger's and there was this man wearing a gold paper crown, a black with gold threads suit, and a full-length black coat draped over his shoulders like a cape. To top it off, he had this long stick with a twisted root. When I got my breath, I asked if I could take his picture. "Sure." The man beside him happened along. They knew each other. It was a two for one.

I asked, "Mr. King, would you like a peace sticker?"
"Sure,put it on my hand."
As I turned to leave, he added, "Isn't it nice to be nice?"

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series