Something Changed
I was leaving my community—heading out towards the highway to head north. It was an absolute impromptu trip—so my normal strategy of getting on the highway at specific times to avoid the worst traffic patterns were thwarted. And it began raining—so these weren’t optimal conditions for me to drive in.
But as I headed down the road I saw a man walking (it’s raining hard now) and his brown grocery bag soaked—fell apart.
All of his items fell to the ground—a couple things may have burst open—at the least were damaged.
And I heard myself saying aloud, “Okay God. Am I doing this?” And in the same breath —I responded, “Yep I am.”
I am further delaying my attempt to beat already dreadful traffic compounded by the rain.
So, I turned my car around—pulled over on the shoulder.
Got out the car—popped the truck and removed a recyclable Wegmans bag—the yellow one—my favorite one—other than the blue one.
I cautiously—carefully made my way across the roadway with my arm —bag-in-hand extended. But not before having to step on (in) the wet grass in my new bright pink Nike Airmax 270s.
Most people that are close to me know that I don’t walk on sidewalk grass areas. And if you have ever walked with me— you know why.
Nevertheless, I did this day. Hand and bag extended—I approached the man who was desperately trying to manage stuffing things in his pockets—tucked under his arms—curled within his forearms.
He stared at me directly in my eyes—never once looking at the bag. Perhaps a tad startled, confused and frustrated by his current situation.
I said, “Here. Take this bag.”
He responded, still looking directly in my face—“It’s not my bag.”
I responded, “I am giving it to you—I saw your bag tear open back there. And I am offering you this one.“
And because I am emotionally receptive, I heard everything he wasn’t saying.
So, I said, “Sir there’s nothing wrong with this bag—and there’s nothing wrong with me.”
And then he slowly reached for the bag simultaneously saying, “Thank you.” And I responded accordingly, “You’re welcome.” I walked away and returned to my car.
It was then when I processed what had just taken place.
I know where I live and I understand the different dynamics.
I also understood in that moment—that we change hearts and minds one at a time.
Before that man could accept that bag from me—from my hand, he had to let go of something. And that something was any preconceived beliefs and feelings he may have had beforehand.
He literally had to let go of how he saw me—having never met me before a day in his life.
Sometimes change starts small—like surpassing your phobia of walking on sidewalk grass in your new bright pink Nike Airmax 270s. And giving away your favorite color recyclable Wegmans bag.
Interestingly, by time I got on the highway, the rain stopped and there were so few cars on the highway that I could have counted them if I dared to do such a thing. Consequently, I had one of the smoothest and enjoyable rides that I can recall in recent memory.
Obedience has its own special rewards.
#BetheCHANGEyouwanttosee
#ABETTERYOUISABETTERME🌹
#Cshaw
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