A Little Help In Small Places

I have to start with this.  I can’t say I love my job.  The manager and I don’t get along, there’s never enough time to get everything done, and I always feel like I’m fixing a problem that someone else created.  But I do Love my job!

Even with all of the problems that go on internally with the store, I still get to see some amazing things.  I love my customers.  Since it’s more of a neighborhood store (even though it’s a big chain), I see the same people all the time.  I’m getting to know my regular customers, I get to help the kids learn about life (and taxes).  It’s a great place to be most of the time.

One of the biggest blessings that I get to witness, and be a part of, is watching my customers help each other.  I’ve worked in “nicer” places where people of better means (in some cases, much better) shop, and I have never seen what I see in my little corner of the world.  In my little neighborhood store, if someone is running short on cash, and can’t afford what they need/want, many times, someone else is right there who makes up the difference.  Sometimes, I get to see that a few times a day!

It is interesting to me to watch the differences between what is almost like two different societies.  Those who have often  donate to a charity, in which case they have no direct connection with those who are supposed to be receiving help, and not all of the money donated gets to those in need.  Those who don’t have help each other directly.  There’s no charity involvement, and no restrictions.  Friendships are often made in the process and everyone gets to know everyone else.  It’s a beautiful thing to witness.

I know that when you have nothing, it seems hard to believe that you can help someone else.  And when you have everything, it seems easy to think that you are helping by donating.  But the miracles don’t happen in either of those cases.  The miracles happen when you get out and find a way to do.  Action is how to make things happen and help others.  It’s a small miracle that I am blessed to witness every day.

Blessed Be.