The Unlikely Servant

At this point (30+ weeks) in each of my pregnancies I've always secretly wondered why people wouldn't offer to help me with my groceries. I mean, when a woman is THIS pregnant and looks like she's going to pop, and is surrounded by several other younguns, you'd think that would make people stop and offer a hand. A store staff person may offer to help, but you'd be amazed how many customers or other people standing by loading their own cars just stare at you as you load your groceries.

Today I didn't have all my kids with me. I had left the 2 youngest (who were sick) at home with my sister, while I took 10 year old brother and 6 year old daughter to the grocery store. I wasn't particularly exhausted today.

With my cart full, I approached the long check out line at the same time as another customer. She had her teenage daughter with her, who appeared to just be along for the ride...you know...because she had to. She was dressed in her own unique style, with a nose ring and and ipod attached to her ears. Her mother signaled for me to go in front of her, nodding toward the kids I had with me. I assured her I wasn't in a hurry, and she was in fact in front of me, so she could go ahead.

As fate would have it, she forgot her wallet, and had to go to her car to get her cash. She then filed back in line behind me as my turn was already in action.

The cashier loaded my cart and wished me a good weekend, mentioning that she made sure "to pack the bags light" for me (noting my condition). I should mention, this is something I greatly appreciate from this cashier each week- she knows their bags break easily, and that a big pregnant woman doesn't need to be chasing groceries down her driveway!

Anyway, as I reached for my receipt, I heard a voice behind me gently say "would you like some help out with those?" I turned, expecting to see the usual Trader Joes staff offering to do their job. But, it was not a Trader Joes staff person. It was the teenager, nose ring and ipod. She blinked at me awaiting my response. I politely said, "Oh, wow, that is so kind of you. Um..." I saw that she was holding her earphones in her hand as she spoke to me. I almost said, quite honestly, that I'd be alright "but thanks anyway"...but I looked at her, in her eyes, and I saw something. Something kind, something generous, something loving. I saw...Christ.

So I said, "Sure, that would actually be really great." She smiled, and ran to her mom to let her know she'd be back.

She followed me to my car, then carefully loaded each bag (more careful than any Trader Joes staff person ever has), gently arranging each bag in the trunk of my van.

This girl was a witness to me. She turned off the noise in her head and was able to see that there was a need, and she was attentive to that.

I ask myself how able I am to detach from the noise in my own head (all my to-do lists, all my thoughts) in such a way as to be attentive to the needs of others.