2 Corinthians 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

I was reminded of a kindness shown to me by a stranger that really moved me.  We were having family over for dinner one night and needed a couple items from the store.  So in the afternoon I went to Aldi’s to get those items plus some fruit and vegetables.

The total came to $16.27 and I used my debit card only to have it declined.  That was unexpected and I thought it was just a computer glitch so we tried the card again only to have it declined again.  I was mystified because I thought I had sufficient funds in the checking account to cover a small purchase.  The cashier suggested I call the bank.  So the transaction was suspended while I went to make my call.

I walked over to the counter area where customers pack their groceries after paying for them and called Donna to have her check the account online.  Just then another customer came over to me.  He had just purchased his groceries and had witnessed my little adventure.  He got my attention and said, “I’ll pay for your groceries for you.”

What an unexpected kindness!  I thanked him and said that my wife was checking our account right then.  He said he would wait to find out.  I was embarrassed to discover that I had let our checking account balance get down to $14.  So Donna transferred money online from savings into the account.  All the while this gentleman was standing patiently next to me with cash in hand to pay for the groceries.

It’s difficult to describe what was going on within me once he made his offer.  Although I was on the phone with Donna while she accessed our account, I was so aware of the kindness that was being extended to me by this stranger.  Further, I was blessed by the fact that he didn’t leave me when I informed him we were transferring the money.  He just stood there patiently waiting to see if the card would be approved.

Once Donna completed the transfer, I went back to the cashier; we reran the card and it was approved.  He was still standing there, waiting.  I turned and thanked him again for his generosity and kindness, and asked his name – it was Jeff.

As we walked to our cars I was so grateful for the kindness the Lord had shown me through Jeff.  On the one hand, it’s something that I don’t want to happen again.  But on the other, I was grateful that I had inadvertently allowed the account to have such a low balance so that I could experience the Lord’s kindness to me through a stranger named Jeff.