The next time you think YOU have it bad.........
GurleyGirl524
Posts: 578 Member
in Chit-Chat
The next time you are whining about your problems, think about this. This is what I witnessed today. Talk about humbling.......There was an elderly lady and her granddaughter in line in front of me in the grocery store this evening. She had some cabbage, a loaf of bread, and 2 cans of off brand veggies. After the clerk scanned the cabbage and bread she made him stop and tell her what her total was so far. Then she told him to scan 1 can of veggies and tell her the total, then the same for the next. Her grand total was less than $5.00. She paid for over half of her order with change and was short. I was scowering my purse for the .25 that she needed (I rarely have cash, even change) when she found 3 dimes.
It made me think, there but for the Grace of God go I. I take so many things for granted. Admit it, we all do. So the next time you are mad because your phone lost your contacts, or because the traffic is heavy, or some guy parked too close to the line, or because you don't have the newest iphone, or you don't have a new big screen TV; stop take a breathe and think about all of the wonderful things you do have.
I am not trying to start a religious debate or war here, goodness no, that would make me a horrible awful person in the eyes of many who troll the forums (which is why I typically stay away). I just want to tell you this: my prayer today is that God will meet my NEEDS, that God will meet your NEEDS and that we will all remember it is prayer, not a wish list.
It made me think, there but for the Grace of God go I. I take so many things for granted. Admit it, we all do. So the next time you are mad because your phone lost your contacts, or because the traffic is heavy, or some guy parked too close to the line, or because you don't have the newest iphone, or you don't have a new big screen TV; stop take a breathe and think about all of the wonderful things you do have.
I am not trying to start a religious debate or war here, goodness no, that would make me a horrible awful person in the eyes of many who troll the forums (which is why I typically stay away). I just want to tell you this: my prayer today is that God will meet my NEEDS, that God will meet your NEEDS and that we will all remember it is prayer, not a wish list.
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Replies
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amen God is good0
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well said!!!:flowerforyou: and yes it is a prayer!!0
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You don't have to look far to find people far worse-off than yourself. I used to work with a wonderful lady who had lost both a husband and a son tragically. Made me thing twice before I opened my big mouth to complain about my guys... Perspective is everything!0
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You have a kind heart. It's events like this that make us step back and be grateful.0
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God is SOOOO Good.0
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Amen.0
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I almost didn't click on this,but I'm so glad I did. I have been going through tough times but i am about to eat a wonderful meal and I am typing on my home computer and that is only the beginning of my blessings. Thank you for sharing! and Bless you and the woman who inspired you today.0
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Thank you...I needed to read that today. Puts everything in perspective.0
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This is so true. I only have $20 to my name til next Friday but atleast I have three meals at home waiting to be cooked and my gas tank is full. It could be worse.0
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Well said.... I'm forever GRATEFUL no matter what!
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Not sure i get what god has to do with the lady being unable to easily afford her groceries.0
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Been there.0
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Thank you for sharing. It's a good reminder to focus on the blessings we have, big and small.0
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thank you for posting. God is soooooo good.0
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Growing up in a very large family (oldest of 12 children) I have been in this exact same place. I have an amazing husband who supports me and our child and I don't take one day of it for granted! God has blessed me very much and He took care of my siblings and I through many many bad times and I'm glad to be His!0
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I'm betting if she hadn't found the 3 dimes you would have found the needed $ somewhere....there are always angels lurking somewhere.0
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Not sure i get what god has to do with the lady being unable to easily afford her groceries.
This thread confuses me.0 -
What a sobering and important post...thank you so much for taking the time and care to share this...the greater majority of people are literally a paycheck or two or three from poverty--it's deep and humbling. Again, thank you for posting this!
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Am I the only person that thinks the 'God is good' comments are insensitive? God wasn't that good to this poor woman in the grocery store. I appreciate the sentiment of the OP but not the 'whew at least it's not me'. Because that is what some of you are saying.0
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Loved this. I would have done the same thing as you, scrounging for what change might be floating at the bottom of my purse. In the space between the ugly "every man for himself" fight for survival and the self-idolizing faults of the human race, there's also hope and humility.
No matter what anyone's take on God might be, I just continue to pray that people keep lending a hand, even to the bum on the corner who most would say will buy their next "fix". Because maybe he won't. And wouldn't that be a callous shame if everyone stops giving because of what they assume? A few nonprofits embezzle donations meant for aid. A percentage of those in need also struggle with addictions that got them in their situation. So many reasons to stop giving.
It's only with hope and humility that people still give. Hope that they can make a difference. Humility that their addictions and vices are no better, and perhaps, in knowing that one day they might have to swallow their pride, hold their hand out, and watch the averted eyes and quickened steps of passersby that would rather pretend they can't see another's blighted existence. Or maybe feel the panic of not having enough money when they reach the check out counter.
Sometimes our actions don't necessarily help the people we intend. Maybe it just benefits the people who are watching that have allowed the world to make them so callous. That's what you did today, GurleyGirl. The lady was able to help herself, but you were waiting in the wings trying to do what you could to help. That just might have benefitted someone else who saw it. :flowerforyou:0 -
I have had it bad -- no food in the house and no money to buy any, either. I take nothing for granted.0
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God or no God..poverty in the ' first world' is simply unacceptable0
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Why the cheapshot then?I am not trying to start a religious debate or war here, goodness no, that would make me a horrible awful person in the eyes of many who troll the forums (which is why I typically stay away). I just want to tell you this: my prayer today is that God will meet my NEEDS, that God will meet your NEEDS and that we will all remember it is prayer, not a wish list.
I find this God stuff fascinating. It seems that it works however people see fit. Something bad happens? Well, if we had God. Something good happens? God gets the props.
BTW... how does this "God's will" thing work? Why is war, rape, poverty, genocide, natural disasters, and terrorism NOT God's will?
I am not knocking anyone. I just want to understand people better. If you see someone in need of change for their groceries, I think that was the universe telling you that someone was poor and hungry and you were in a position to help. You did that and so kudos to YOU, not God. Where was God's food bank when she needed it? If God programmed you to be a robot then I am not sure I could trust your authenticity.
It's just scary when you hear politicians say that rape is God's will and that Zimmerman guy say that he killed Trayvon Martin because it was God's will. What in the hell? I think people should take personal responsiblity over their actions, GOOD or bad.
You did what you had to do. You did what you felt was right. If you had to convene with God before giving that lady some spare change then I find that sadder than the lady's situation. Do tribal people not help each other out? Atheism might start more internet wars but theism has started more real wars.0 -
We need these daily reminders! It is so easy to fall into the woe is me mentality. Reality is everyone has problems/challenges! Lets be thankful for our blessings and realize there is ALWAYS some else who has it worse than us.0
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Why the cheapshot then?I am not trying to start a religious debate or war here, goodness no, that would make me a horrible awful person in the eyes of many who troll the forums (which is why I typically stay away). I just want to tell you this: my prayer today is that God will meet my NEEDS, that God will meet your NEEDS and that we will all remember it is prayer, not a wish list.
I find this God stuff fascinating. It seems that it works however people see fit. Something bad happens? Well, if we had God. Something good happens? God gets the props.
BTW... how does this "God's will" thing work? Why is war, rape, poverty, genocide, natural disasters, and terrorism NOT God's will?
I am not knocking anyone. I just want to understand people better. If you see someone in need of change for their groceries, I think that was the universe telling you that someone was poor and hungry and you were in a position to help. You did that and so kudos to YOU, not God. Where was God's food bank when she needed it? If God programmed you to be a robot then I am not sure I could trust your authenticity.
It's just scary when you hear politicians say that rape is God's will and that Zimmerman guy say that he killed Trayvon Martin because it was God's will. What in the hell? I think people should take personal responsiblity over their actions, GOOD or bad.
You did what you had to do. You did what you felt was right. If you had to convene with God before giving that lady some spare change then I find that sadder than the lady's situation. Do tribal people not help each other out? Atheism might start more internet wars but theism has started more real wars.
You and your logic
> Out
> Out with you! No place for that stuff here!0 -
I don't believe in God, but I do believe that people should be grateful for what they have and not envy what they want. There is always someone who has it much, much worse than you.0
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To suv... I will put my "take" on things this way... A friend once told me that her brother was an atheist, and when probed,his response was "bad things happen to good people every day... where is your God then?" God does not promise us those things... not wealth, not even a good or easy life here on Earth... What i get is what comes after my Earthly life... That is my reward,and HE does promise us that...
On a side note, I have been the person without enough money at the grocery store, and both times, there was an "angel" there to help me out...0 -
You know what's sad? We never know what we got till we lose it!0
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You know what's sad? We never know what we got till we lose it!
So true!0 -
God is indeed good. It truly is the smallest of things that keep us happy if you think about it. My husband, our family, roof over the head, food on the table, evenings and weekends together. Thank you Lord.0
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