Pay it Forward - Demonstrated by a Complete Stranger

***A MUST READ***

So I've been meaning to go major grocery shopping for 2 1/2 weeks.  We have just being on the run so much.  My family has been in town all week.  The last few days were spent at our house.  We had dinner for them on Sunday night.  The main course was delicious.  The sides to the meal were odd.  Cut up carrots and cut up apples with Chicken Roll-Ups.  I made a yummy cake and attempted and then started over and succeeded in making Peanut Butter Frosting from scratch.  The next day I made Grilled Cheese sandwiches and Eggs though I had just a morsel of ketchup.  When I made Tater Tots for the kids to eat I had no ketchup.  I asked my neighbor to borrow some from them.   When my parents left and Chad came home I headed off to the grocery store.

I went to the store.  So embarrassed that this was my second time in a year asking to borrow some ketchup.  When I went to the store I determined that I was going to buy all the items in the store that we use on a regular basis.  Some 3 of each, others 5, and things like ketchup I probably picked up 10.  It was during this time that I realized I should have gotten a bigger cart.  I went to grab another cart and instead of moving all the items I just took the empty cart back to where I left off and kept loading it up.  By time I finished it was past 9 p.m.  The lines were long.  I picked one and stuck too it.

I start to load my groceries up and see this man with not very many items in his cart gets in the line right behind me.  Here is how the conversation plays out to my recollection.

Me:  Oh... you don't want to get behind me.  You will be better off in a shorter line.
Stranger:  I'll take my chances.  So what is the story behind all of this?
Me:  Oh...  I just have not been grocery shopping for 3 weeks.  I should have gone 3 weeks ago.
Stranger:  How many kids do you have?
Me:  Just two.  

Stranger: (Chuckles)  

Me:  I'm not getting all the same items.  A lot of non perishables with some normal produce.  I made the kids dinner and realized I was out of ketchup.  I had to ask my neighbor to borrow ketchup.  I was so embarrassed.  I guess that is why it is encouraged to do food storage.
Stranger:  Ya, that is true.
Me:  So I just went up and down every isle and picked up all the items we use on a normal basis.  2 of this, 4 of that and when I got to ketchup I picked up 10.
Stranger: (chuckles)
Me:  It's okay... really... you can get in the other line.  It won't hurt my feelings... I promise.  I do it all the time.
Stranger: (Inches forward) Well now it is a game to see if we can beat them.  (As he looks up to see how much my groceries were costing.)
Me: (laughing)
Stranger: I'll make you a deal.  You beat them out. (pointing to the other line) I will pay for all your groceries.
Me: (Still laughing I didn't hear exactly what he said)  What did you just say?
Stranger:  You beat them and I will pay for all of your groceries.  Do we have a deal?
Me:  No...
Stranger:  Come on it's an easy deal?  You are going to win anyway.
Me:  (Still laughing)  Sure... I'll take your deal.
(Last 5 items get scanned and I pull out my card to pay)
Stranger:  I'm a man of my word.  I made a deal.   (He pulls out his card.)  See how easy this was.  (I slide over as he comes closer and he slides his card on the reader).
Me:  I can't believe I just slid over for you to pay.
Stranger:  I'm a man of my word.  You have a wonderful evening and Pay it forward.
Me:  I will.  I'm a firm believer in that.  I can't believe you just did that and I let you.
Stranger:  Have a great night. (Shaking hands.)
Me:  Thank You.
Stranger:  No, thank you.

I walked away completely in awe.  The guy bagging the groceries asks if I would like help out and I decline.  I walk away to my car in complete awe.  Pushing one cart and pulling another.  Shocked, overcome, humbled, blessed.  I put all the groceries inside my car and as I'm putting the last few in he comes out he is on his cell phone and I thank him again.  I finish up and put my carts away.  I see him loading his groceries up and some things on the floor.  I walk over and pick up those items and as he sees me he tells the person on the phone to hold on for just a moment.

Me:  Really... Thank You!
Stranger:  Now we do that sometimes, just for fun.  Your welcome.  I'll I ask is that you pay it forward.
Me:  I will.
Stranger:  Someday you will.
Me: I will do my best. (With tears now in my eyes)
Stranger:  You will.  Have a wonderful evening.
Me:  Again, thank you.
Stranger: Your welcome.

Last night.  I walked away with awe and amazement in my heart.  I was overcome with gratitude to the Lord.  This amazing act of paying it forward.  To be blessed so much by a complete stranger.

My grocery bill came to a total of $382 dollars.

This experience inspires and amazes me!