I was in the grocery check out line this morning with a full basket. This darling old lady was standing behind me in line and commented on how many gallons of milk I had in my cart. She then continued by telling be that she can't drink milk just usually buys a small amount that she can mix in with her tomato soup. She smiled as she saw that I also had tomato soup on the conveyer-belt. "You must like tomato soup as well?" she said.
When it was my turn at the register the old lady said to the woman who was checking my groceries "This girl has bought the whole store. I guess you need to when you have a little one to feed. I used to have a daughter but she died on April 27th from cancer of the throat."
The checker asked, "Did she smoke?"
"Yes she did," the old lady replied, "and I had stopped smoking myself, but right after she died I picked it back up again because I was so sad and stressed because of her death. I didn't know what to do."
It was an interesting interaction for me. I was standing there listening, feeling sad for the little old lady who returned to the habit that killed her daughter, and knowing without any doubt that this little old lady would see her daughter again - which is one simple piece of knowledge that those two women didn't have any idea about.
I paid for my groceries and left without telling either of them about the little piece of truth that I possess. When I got in my car tears started streaming down my face. For some reason I felt sorrow for that old lady having just experienced the passing of her daughter. I felt sorrow that not all of God's children know of Him, His love, and the beautiful plan of salvation.
I am so blessed to know of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to have been raised in a family of faith, hope and testimony. In the future I pray that I will open my mouth and share what I know to those that sit in darkness. How can I not when I am so blessed?
Today we visited Lake Calhoun. It was VERY windy, but we still had a wonderful time. We built sandcastles, threw rocks into the water, watched all the dogs run by with their owners (there is a running/biking path that goes all the way around the lake), fed the seagulls, and swung of the swings that were right there on the beach. Wish the water (and the air) would have been warmer so we could have gone for a swim. I'm sure we will later in the summer. We love having Daddy around but are missing him in the evenings. Erik was able to get a job with the Minnesota State Health Department for the summer. I'm proud of him for finishing his semester, let alone his first year of Grad school and for getting a job! What a guy. I'll tell you - I married a good one. Great day.
