An Act of Love

Love from an aunt

It was already 7:00pm as I was heading into Dollar General with my four kids all geared up with swimsuits to have an evening in the pool at grandma and grandpa’s house. The next day was a garage sale at our house, and I was in need of poster board and some duct tape for signs. 

My children followed me around the store for the items on my list, and then they spotted the swim gear! So they each got a pair of goggles, I grabbed a few extra items including laundry detergent, and we headed for the check-out. 

Being a regular customer at this particular location, I greeted the cashier by name while he was asking my children questions about where they were going to swim. Upon scanning the last few items I noticed the debit card in my wallet was missing. I knew with all the extra purchases we added in that the twenty dollars cash I had on me would not suffice! Just then a line of customers started forming behind me. 

Immediately I began pulling out some items I could get later, including the laundry detergent. And then it happened. She spoke up. A woman behind me, a complete stranger, pulled out a wad of cash and said, “I have money, I will pay for whatever she needs.” The initial shock of gratitude turned into disbelief and reluctancy on my part. I told her, “No, really, it’s okay. I have quite a few extra items. Let me at least take those off.” I needed convincing. I didn’t think this woman really wanted to pay, and I didn’t feel it was justified either. Nevertheless she firmly responded, telling the cashier to keep everything I had on the receipt. Seventeen dollars. Free. Undeserved. A gift with no strings attached. 

It may sound small; in a sense it is. Yet I believe it is nothing short of grandiose. For here we see the HEART of humanity. This woman was even put to the test as I repeatedly refused her help initially. Ultimately her decision was unwavering, a selfless portrayal of lending a helping hand to one another no matter the actual cost, convenience, or lack of relationship.

The next day we had our garage sale and the first customers who arrived were some friends. As we were chatting a woman in a car backed up into their car, considerably denting the driver-side door, and then peeled off. Humanity. The contrast was real. 

Our choices impact those around us, and those choices are a mirror to the doorway of our hearts. Some decisions are made out of selfishness and fear, and others are a glimpse of the sacred, sacrificial love Our God offers us.

This verse came to mind upon reflection: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 

Love is a verb. It is meant to have feet that cause it to act, not just a feeling that comes and goes based on our mood. Biblically, those who do not know God are only experiencing a fraction of the love that is available to us as believers in Christ. Unconditional love at its core is only possible if we know God, and as the verse says, daily FOLLOW Him.

I’ll never forget the “Dollar General woman.” I asked for a name, to which she smiled humbly. Instead we embraced, and parted ways. Anonymous she will remain, and I will always be reminded of her love towards me, a young anonymous mother. 

Let us LOVE, anonymously, to all people, even the ones who may never know our name but in turn will know THE NAME of the One we serve. Trees of Hope, for Our Jesus, for Our God!