No more 'drive-by' prayers!

Recently I had an encounter at the supermarket that still troubles me. I was doing errands and about to get in the checkout line with my lunchmeat and a few holiday grocery items I had stopped to pick up. As I approached the line, I saw someone who looked familiar but I could not immediately remember her name (and sadly I still don't which is pathetic of me).

She, whom I will call 'Christine,' was waiting near the in-store pharmacy with her elderly and infirm mother. Christine had been an acquaintence from a previous neighborhood- we had both since moved and lost contact.

Christine had many challenges as I recall from our periodic conversations when we would cross paths while walking down the block. She had some relational difficulties. Her previous partner was mentally abusive, and her parents had shunned her for a time.

The last conversation I recall was her sharing that she had forgiven her parents and her previous partner and was at peace about it all. That was about three years ago.
She had been searching- for peace, for acceptance for being who she is, and for a restored relationship with God and her family. Knowing that I am in the helping profession, she would share bits of her journey with me when we crossed paths on our walks.

Back to the present (or recent past)- I saw Christine at the supermarket, and I froze...

Sadly I found myself pre-occupied with keeping my place in the long check out line, and while trying to at least acknowledge and express concern for her and her family. But I just could not remember her name at that moment for the life of me! Plus I was taken back by the obviously poor condition of her mother's health- she could not walk, was quite frail and her ankles were swollen and almost purple. She also told me her father was in the hospital and that she was caring for both of them. My heart sank. I was speechless, and embarassed for not even remembering her name.

I gave a look of genuine concern, extended my hand and clasped her hand in both of mine for a moment, looked at her, and then her mother and said those words that flow so easily from my lips:

"I will be praying for you."

Just then, the cashier said "Next in line, please!" It was my turn... I had waited for ten minutes to check out, my wife and daughter were home waiting for items I had gone to the store to buy... what should I do??

I mustered a faint consolation smile, and said "It was good to see you. Take care."

Then I hurriedly placed my handful of food items on the conveyer and got out my debit card and club card to pay.

I glanced back and she and her mother were nowhere to be seen.

After getting checked out, taking the receipt and lifting up the bag, I began to walk out of the store. I got to my car, fumbled for my keys, and found myself turning and walking back toward the entrance to the store- I had to at least ask her name again- or her father's name so I could go visit him at the hospital or try to get her some help at home.

She and her mother were gone from sight, and nowhere to be found. I walked up and down the aisles retracing my steps only to realize that had already left.

My heart sank.

I thought immediately of the passage from Matthew 25 where Jesus is quoted as saying

"...as you have done to the least of these, so you have done to me."

So often I find myself throwing out the "I'll be praying for you" line (however genuinely well-intentioned it may be) without really making that extra step- going that extra mile as it were to back it up with compassion in action.

My heart has been convicted, and I hope God will help me to go beyond words to better live a life of compassionate care for the least of these.

Peace,

John