Aldi is one of those places, in my opinion, that you really have to want to go to or you will end up leaving frustrated. I would compare it to the Marshall's of the food world. The discounts are great, but you quickly realize that the organization, selection, and brands you recognize are indeed missing in the 3 aisles the store has to offer, hence the great prices. I openly admit that I love a good bargain though, and paying $1.00 for a carton of strawberries instead of $4.00 is well worth my cereal being labeled "Honey O's" instead of "Cheerios".
I pulled into the parking lot and got out of my car without a second thought. However, the moment I walked into the door, a man tapped me on my shoulder and stopped me frantically.
"I am SO sorry," he said.
I was confused, and my face probably showed it. Either this man had me confused with someone else, or I had missed something. I quickly asked him what he was sorry for. Judging by the panic on his face, it seemed serious. He then informed me that he had cut me off in the parking lot and then apologized several more times. I told the man that I hadn't noticed and assured him it was ok. He then told me that he hates being rude and inconsiderate and assured me he hadn't done it on purpose. I laughed (I should have been the one apologizing for being behind the wheel...I was so spaced out I didn't see someone cut me off) and assured him I wasn't upset and to not think twice about it. He thanked me and went on his way.
At the cash register, with my assortment of strawberries, lettuce, and Hershey's kisses on the conveyor belt, the cashier and I exchanged the typical "how are you today" type conversation. We talked about what a beautiful Spring day it was and how it would be hard to have anything but a good day with the sun shining the way it was. I thought back to Mr. parking lot. I have accidentally cut people off numerous times I am sure, but I can't think of one that I have sought out the driver to apologize. The weather. That must have been it.
As predicted, Aldi didn't have all of the ingredients I needed for my cookies, so I made an additional stop at Target. I wasn't upset about it. I don't think I have ever been upset about going to Target now that I think about it. I picked up the few items I needed and headed to the checkout. The lines were long, the cashiers were few, and the carts were full. The manager caught me looking around to other aisles and offered to check me out at the pizza hut counter so I wouldn't have to wait. I said thank you, and he assured me it was no problem...and then upsold my purchase to include a pina coalda icee. I left target with a smile on my face (icee's do that to you). The store manager must have caught wind of the Spring sunshine too.
Two stoplights away from home, I realized I had forgotten an essential ingredient for my peanut butter cookies. Peanut butter. After rationalizing that I couldn't make the cookies without it, I pulled into the next store I saw. Big Lots. If Aldi is the Marshall's of the food world, then Big Lots is the Ross. And as any bargain shopper knows, Marshalls and TJMaxx trump Ross.
I searched the chaotic, unorganized shelves for at least ten minutes and finally found a jar of peanut butter next to a can of chicken noodle soup and a box of crackers. I don't recommend Big Lots for grocery shopping. Nevertheless, I had my final ingredient and was ready to get home. When I got to the front of the store, I realized that only one lane was open, and the line was ten people deep. Each person's cart was full of all the "treasures" (I use that term lightly) one might find at Big Lots. I resigned to the fact that I would be there a while. The lady in front of me saw my singular jar of peanut butter and insisted I pass her in line. I told her that wasn't necessary, but she wouldn't take no for an answer. The same thing happened with the 9 consecutive customers in front of her in line, and before I knew it, I was at the front with no wait at all.
When I got back into my car to go home and started baking my cookies, I started thinking about all of the people I had encountered at my 3 stops that afternoon. I didn't know any of them. They had no vested interest in my life. We probably will never see each other again. They all had one thing in common though.
They cared enough to share kindness.
The people I encountered yesterday, even for a short while, reminded me that the little things really do make a difference. How many opportunities do I pass up during the day to share kindness that is so freely shared with me? If the number was counted, I am afraid I would be ashamed.
I think, too often, we tell ourselves that the little things don't matter. They won't make that much of a difference. If not that, we set our sites on our goals for the day and dare not turn our heads to those around us.
The truth is though, the little things make all the difference. Whether that is holding a door, sharing a conversation or a smile, or letting someone pass you in the grocery line, it matters. It's sometimes easy to forget that we don't know what is going on in the lives of those we come into contact with each day.
Last week, I decided to memorize Colossians 3:12. It says, "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
"Clothe yourself with kindness." I have been thinking a lot lately about what that means. I think I got a taste of it shopping yesterday.
A Bible study I was in a few months ago talked about how we "clothe" ourselves intentionally. It is not by accident. Just as we choose what clothes we put on in the morning, we also choose what attitudes and actions we put on and share with those we come into contact with each day.
Sometimes I just want to go through my day and get everything on MY list done. Sometimes it seems like there are not enough hours to even do that. That verse reminds me, though, that I am called to so much more than that. I am called to share kindness and the love of Christ with those I do and don't know each day. Even when I am tired. Even when I am frustrated. And even when people and situations make it seem impossible to share love the way I should.
Then, I remember, that I am not good on my own. I am sinful and lost without Christ. He is the only good in me. His spirit lives in me and it is my job to let it shine over my human nature. Even when kindness isn't on the tip of my tongue, I can choose to stop and intentionally clothe myself in it.
Though I would like to think it does, kindness does not come solely from sunshine. It is placed in all of us by the Creator. Spring or winter, sunny or cloudy, whether we are walking through Marshall's or Neiman Marcus, our homes or downtown streets, the times we let Him shine through us matter.
A man at Aldi, a manager at Target, and 10 women at Big Lots all showed me kindness when they didn't have to. I wouldn't have thought twice about it if they hadn't. But more than the actions and words they shared, God used their hearts and intentionality to touch mine even just a little bit. Would it have hurt me to stand in line for 20 minutes to buy my peanut butter? No. Did it make a difference that these women let me cut in line?
From my heart, I wholeheartedly say that it did.
