A Stranger Bought My Groceries = An Answer to Prayer

Today I felt VERY blessed by God.

My former neighbors, Jason and Janelle, moved 18 months ago. Unfortunately, their darling little house is still on the market. On Monday Janelle sent me a text asking if I could go over and check the basement for water (it is a really old house). Sure enough the basement was wet. I ran home to get some towels and a fan. I think Janelle felt bad asking me for help but I LOVE to help others. It's my spiritual gift. Janelle mentioned paying me for helping them out. I absolutely refused but we joked about how payment in coffee would be acceptable :) I think Janelle loves coffee as much as I do.

On Tuesday I stopped over to empty their dehumidifier and found more water. I love old houses, we have one, but with the character and charm comes the wet basements, not fun! After I completely soaked the towels, for the second time, I decided that if there was more water tomorrow I would use paper towels.

This afternoon I checked again and more water, ugh! There was not a ton of water but enough to be annoying. I decided to run to my local Aldi and buy paper towels. I also picked up a few other items. I waited patiently in line at the register and when my turn came I reached for my ATM card only to realize that I had left it at home. I apologized to the cashier and asked her if I could set my things aside and run home. The customer in front of me, who was bagging up his groceries, turned and said, "I'll buy your groceries." I was shocked and said, "You don't have to do that, really!" He looked at the cashier and told her to ring it up. Honestly, I felt horrible. I love to serve others but find it difficult to accept service in return.

I gathered up my items as he paid. I said, "Thank you!" and he said, "God bless you!" WOW! I just wanted to tell him he was paying for paper towels so I could help someone else. I got in my car and cried. I proceeded to mop up a wet basement and cried. I felt SO blessed by God's little gift and reminder that He is working in our lives. I cried.

Pretty great story, right?! Well, keep reading because I ended up being blessed even more (which involved more crying).

After I finished the basement cleaning I went to pick up my son at Casey's house. Casey, my dear friend and neighbor, is moving soon to Ohio. Her husband just started a new job this week. Casey and their 4 children will be joining him soon. To help her out during this time I cleaned her whole house last weekend. I love to clean and serving is my spiritual gift, so I had fun scrubbing her floors! Really, I did! When I arrived to pick up my son I told her the whole paper towel, buying my groceries story and how blessed I felt. She teared up and said, "Ingrid, I prayed last night that God would completely bless you in a special way because of how blessed I felt that you cleaned my house." WOW!

So today I felt double blessed. God provided the paper towels and answered a prayer. Lots of tears today, good tears!