Patience! One Penny At A Time

I had had such a wonderful day of service (which merits another blog post), and I had promised to drive around the neighborhood to make sure that all was in order. Before doing so, I desperately needed to find a Lady's Room, and decided to make a quick stop in a grocery store.

While there, I remembered that I was out of coffee and, in an effort to escape the $4+ Starbucks run, I grabbed a bag of coffee. Since I only had one item, I looked for the self-checkout line with the fewest heads waiting.

Ah-Hah! There was a line with only one fellow making a purchase. I felt so lucky. He was attired in sweats and had a hat on. Alongside the checkout counter was a insulated store bag from which he took out a 2-liter soda bottle and proceeded to ring it up. I did not see the exact amount as I simply was not watching, but it was somewhere around $1.00. Then I noticed him paying for his purchase, one penny at a time.

Oh no! So much for moving through quickly! I looked at the other checkout aisles wondering if I would check out quicker by moving to one of these. But then I thought to myself, "What do I have awaiting me?" "Nothing!" So I watched as he meticulously put one penny at a time in the slot. It took forever! But it was such a gratifying experience for him! The countdown came to $.35 and he realized that he did not have enough money. I had found a dime on the floor upon entering the store which I proffered to him. He heartily accepted. I didn't want to strip him of his pleasure of putting the pennies in the slot, but he simply had no more, and I was unable to find any more in my purse. I did, however have a quarter which I gave him, but I am not sure that it was as satisfying to him as putting one penny in at a time.

The purchase was complete and the fellow thanked me over and over. He mentioned how he never, ever stole anything. He may have done so as a child, but not now. He could not have been more grateful and he repeatedly wished God's blessings upon me. I returned the wishes, but I am sure that I was far more blessed by this man than anything I could have done for him!