Friday, January 31, 2014

The Lord Provideth

I am a fresh college graduate. I am poor. When you are a person in my position, my priorities often become an inconvenience. I am the type of person who would rather spend money on a guitar or a trip to Hawaii to visit an old friend than, say.. eat. This can at times prove difficult. I sometimes decide to myself, "Chris, this month you are not going to spend money on food." As I headed into the month of January, (my birthday month and first official full month as a non-student) I said just this. At first it was easy. I at food I already had in my fridge and cupboard, but soon my storage started to run thin and meals started to consist of cream of wheat, pancakes, and frozen veggies (which I had avoided). Then my loving mother took me shopping  and bought me sandwich foods and fresh veggies (still avoided, but consumed). This was an answer to prayer and a blessing. As the month got to its midsection, my cupboards again began to run bare, but I was committed to finishing out the month.
I also work at a theatre where I eat unlimited popcorn, but a man can only take so much. At the theatre I hold on to unused coupons to bless people with. On January 16th, my birthday, a couple came in and were in a slight argument and about buying popcorn. The husband didn't want to purchase popcorn because it is expensive. The woman's popcorn cravings were not to be denied. Eventually, the husband headed toward the restroom and left his wife to order. I told her, "How 'bout I just give you a free small popcorn and you can brag about it to your husband." She gladly accepted. Her popcorn cravings were not to be denied.
After the movie, the husband came out and politely, but sternly said, "I owe you for the popcorn." I smiled and replied, "Nope, it was a gift." He continued for insist, and we engaged in a humorous back and forth until finally I said, "Listen, today is my birthday, I want you to accept the popcorn as a gift for my birthday." Finally I was able to convince him that he owned nothing. He thanked me and left.
Soon after, while I was dealing with a customer the man came back to the counter and dropped off a paper bag, and said just loud enough for me to hear, "Here's for the birthday boy." I yelled  "Thank you!" after I was able to register what he said, but he was already in the doorway. I looked in the bag and saw three large and beautiful muffins; three large and beautiful breakfasts for the next three days. I was able to bless them, and I was blessed in return. The Lord provideth.