Sobering

As I stepped out of the car into the chilly autumn night air, I pulled my sweater a little closer and hurried into the store. I had a mission to complete---get my grocery shopping done and go home to my bed!

I maneuvered my cart through the aisles, collecting my items and checking them off my list. Soon I was finished and I flipped through the coupons I would be using for this trip. After organizing my stash, I pushed the cart to the register and began unloading the products onto the conveyor belt. My cashier was cheerful and efficient and very quickly I was ready to be on my way.

I hardly noticed the gentleman behind me in line, I was too focused on my own agenda. But as I fished around for my keys in my purse I heard the cashier say, "Evening Richard what can I do for you?" Naturally I looked up to see who the cashier knew by name. My gaze met a man of about forty-something years housed in a body that had carried too much worry and pain. His coat looked ragged and much too thin for the coming colder weather that winter would be bringing. Richard's face was haggard and worn and bore no smile. He fumbled around in his pockets for something as he said "I'll just take a water tonight. I believe that's 25-cents." He continued to search for the quarter he needed. The cashier waved him through and said "Richard, tonight the water's on us." It was then I realized the cashier knew him because he frequented this store at night. He had no where else to go to escape the frigid night air. Richard was homeless.

He thanked the kind cashier and went over to the drink fountain to get a small glass of water. And I pushed my cartload of groceries out the door. I passed another man who looked very much like Richard in demeanor and dress. Perhaps, like Richard, he was escaping the dropping temperatures too.

And as I stepped into the cold night air I was sobered by what I had just witnessed.

How many times do I take a glass of water for granted? Or the fact that I have a bed to sleep in at night under a warm roof?

And the Holy Spirit started to deal with me regarding my spirit of ingratitude and entitlement.

Just this morning I was complaining about my bed not being comfortable. I imagine that a bed of concrete would be a lot more uncomfortable than a saggy mattress. So I decided that I would be grateful for a saggy mattress. I would praise God every time I had to pay a bill. Thank You Lord that I have a water bill to pay because that means that I can do laundry, take a shower and pour myself a glass of water from the faucet. Thank You that I get to pay my mortgage because that means I have a home to live in. I am grateful for my electricity bill and my phone bill.

I am abundantly blessed and it wasn't until tonight that I truly realized the extent of that blessing.