Lesson from the Check-Out Line

--by Wayfarer, posted Jan 20, 2013

A little part of me thought about going to another checkout line. This one had the shortest queue, there was only one guy in it, but he was in a wheelchair and there seemed to be some complications going on.

Well, I stamped on that little part, and we stepped in behind him. At first, he seemed to be having difficulty getting his groceries onto the conveyor belt. But after a while, I realized that what he was actually doing was separating it into two lots.

Still, getting the stuff up there was no easy task in itself. I offered to help, but he and the checkout lady had it under control. He asked Julie if she would mind putting his empty basket away. Then he reached for his wallet which was in a pouch on one side of his chair. The way he was positioned and the fact he only had one usable arm made this quite a stretch for him, so I helped there.

What must it be like, I wondered, to be so dependent on other people like that?

The checkout operator came around and gave him his change and the items he needed to have to hand. She hung one bag of groceries over a handle at the back of his chair.

I offered to get the other, bigger, bag and he said, “No. But you could do me a favour. Take that lot along to the entrance and give it to Angela.”

I dutifully did that, leaving Julie with our shopping.

Angela, it turned out, was collecting food for people who might otherwise go hungry! I hadn't even noticed her before.

This guy, despite the limitations that his physical condition imposed on him, had bought more than twice as much shopping as he needed – and given the bigger bag away to help other people!

He didn't let the fact that he needed help stop him from being a help. He may have been limited physically, but his heart was more than capable of overcoming all that. And it changed my idea of dependence when I realized that the help he had given was more than the help he had received.

So … what’s holding the rest of us back?

16.6K Reads

Posted by Wayfarer
Jan 20, 2013
Comments (22)

Readers Comments

shalarx wrote: So nice! That is someone who is grateful for what they have and not counting up all the things they don't. A lesson for us all.

robert wrote: The story speaks the nature of god to us, and how we are moved to do, they are because we are so we need to help.

Joy wrote: What a moving story of kindness. Thanks so much for sharing. Many blessings.

Peacehunter wrote: When i read this i am reminded of a video on karma tube recently. About a lady in wheelchair that deep sea dives. In her chair. She also taught me that my preception needed adjustment. And thank you for sharing and affirming the lesson i recieved. All the best xo

missi76088 wrote: Awesome story and thank you for sharing. Please check out my website, this comes from all the inspiration i have received here. Www. Youvebeentagged. Org
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mom1k wrote: This story warmed my heart. I will make sure to drop something in the donation box the grocery store on my next visit in honor of th is kind man.

Earthymom33 wrote: Awesome example of kindness for us all. To give in spite of being "in need". Thank you for sharing

zmansmom16 wrote: That was a very uplifting story. It just goes to show what we are capable of.

princessliz wrote: This speaks volumes. Nothing can keep us from being kind, and he proved that.

Thanks for sharing this!

BELLO wrote: I really love the message in this story

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