Be inspired: Faith vs. Fear
July 3, 2009 by ggoodwin
Filed under Be Inspired
A few years ago, I was working on an entrepreneurial project, living off savings. Some days were financially scary as I was learning to live on faith instead of fear.
One day I was standing in the check-out line of the grocery store, aware the woman in front of me was taking a long time to check out. Although I had no pressing appointment, I became impatient and annoyed at having to wait so long. Finally, I realized that being annoyed wasn’t doing me any good, and I started to pay attention to what was unfolding before me.
The cashier was explaining to a rail-thin older woman in front of me that she couldn’t accept her check, because her checks always bounced. The woman, Alice, was fumbling through her purse looking for spare change. As I thought about this woman’s situation, I had an amazing feeling of peace come over me. I thought to myself that there should be a charity to help people like this. Someone should do something. And I realized that someone was me.
Feeling grateful for where I was in my life financially, as scary as I thought it was at that time, I leaned forward in faith and asked the cashier to just put Alice’s bill of $19.92 on my tab. When Alice insisted on paying me back, I asked her to pay it forward when she could. She gratefully left with her groceries.
The cashier said that simple act had made her whole week, because people are usually so rude to one another. She totaled my groceries, asked for my reward card that discounts some products, scanned the card and told me that with store specials, I had saved a total of $19.92 on my order.
I was stunned and asked her to repeat the number. She did, not realizing that it was the exact amount of Alice’s groceries that I had just paid for. I asked her to repeat it a third time and a look of amazement came over her face. She slowly said $19.92 realizing the miracle we had just witnessed. We stood there in wonder, sharing an incredible moment of “Wow, can you believe this?” I felt I had just been given an incredible gift.
The Universe showed me, in a tangible and public way, that the little things I worry about are nothing. The Universe will always provide what I need, and here was a perfect example. Even from a place of fear and lack, when I was able to step forward in faith and be of service to someone else, I was immediately rewarded and reminded. I walked out of that store much richer than when I entered. To this day, I keep that receipt with the $19.92 savings on my refrigerator as a constant reminder of the magic in the world.
Gail Lynne Goodwin, of Boulder, is the “Ambassador of Inspiration” for Inspire Me Today (www.inspiremetoday). Contact Goodwin at gail@inspiremetoday.com.
Inspirational to-do list
I almost missed the magic that day by thinking I was in a hurry. This month, try this:
1. Take a breath. Slow down.
2. Slow down.
3. Pay attention.
4. Now step forward in faith and watch what shows up in your life. Consciously look for the “magic.”
5. Ask yourself: What might you be missing by not paying attention? Where can you be of service?
I think you’ll be amazed and blessed by what you’ll find; it’s there for all of us.
