I Could Really Use A Backpack.

As I started getting ready for to leave for work, which just happen to be heading to Starbucks to use their internet because I work remote, something felt off.?I had just started with a new company and as I was packing up my computer, notebook, and iPad, I realized that my current backpack still had my previous company’s insignia on it.?

There was no way I could go throughout my day continuing to have my previous company’s logo on it.?I needed that fresh start.?I need a clean break.

I needed a new backpack.

I packed everything up, loaded everything into my truck and went to the one place in Knoxville where I knew I would find the best backpack on the planet……. Target.

As I pulled up to the stop light, waiting to turn left into Target, I saw a homeless woman standing in the grassy area next to the entrance.?There were articles of clothing, shoes and other items laying around her and she was holding a cardboard sign which wasn’t readable from the road.

I immediately turned my head back towards the stop light, hoping that the lady hadn’t seen me staring.?I didn’t have time to stop.?I didn’t have time to see what she needed.?I had things I needed to do and stopping and seeing what she needed wasn’t a part of that schedule.?

If I’m honest, in my mind I was saying, “She probably just wants money for drugs or alcohol.” ?“Why would I waste my time helping her just go and throw that money down the drain?”

My gut felt very different.?I couldn’t help but have this feeling in my gut and it was telling me I needed to stop.?As much I tried to intellectually convince myself and create a story about this woman, it wouldn't stop. I thought that she probably wanted money and knew exactly what she would use it for. Still that feeling wouldn't go away.

As I began to turn left into the parking area for Target, I had every intention to keep driving, ignoring the lady and the feeling in my gut. ?

I couldn’t.

At the last minute, I turned into the area of the parking lot that got me the closest to the woman and I parked my truck.

I was so frustrated. ?I didn’t want to be stopping and as I got out of my truck and walked up to the woman, I’m sure the look on my face clearly expressed those feelings.

“I couldn’t read your sign driving by, so I don’t really know what you want,” I said with frustration in my voice.?“What do you need?”

She didn’t even speak.?Her eyes and head slowly lowered, obviously feeling embarrassment and shame, and she lifted her cardboard sign so that I could read it.

“Please help.?I could really use a backpack.”

My heart dropped.?Tears filled my eyes.?I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“You’re never going to believe this,” I stated.?“I came to Target today to buy a backpack, but obviously that backpack wasn’t actually meant for me.”

I told her that I would be right back, and I ran, not walked, ran back to my truck and sped away to park closer to Target.?I ran into the store, probably looking insane, back to the area of the store where the backpacks were stored.?I picked out the best one there.?All the pockets, all the compartments, all of the zippers.?This backpack was amazing, and I didn’t stop there.?I then quickly walked over to the water bottle section and got her a new water bottle.?I went up and paid for everything and then headed to the atm to get some money out for her.

I pulled up to the woman and got out of my truck, this time with a much different attitude. I was so excited to show her the backpack. I was showing her all of the pockets, where she could hold her water bottle, the different compartments for all of her stuff. I was a film crew away from a backpack infomercial!!

?I asked what her name was, where she was from and if she had a place to stay.?After a short conversation, I prayed for her and told her that I was so grateful for her and allowing me to get her a backpack.?

The outlook on my day had completely changed, and I realized that what I had originally viewed as an inconvenience, was actually a blessing for me and a gut-check to a harsh reality……

This life isn’t all about me.

I want to ask you the same questions I asked myself after that encounter.

How many days have we missed the opportunity to love and care for those around me, simply because we are more concerned about our schedules and priorities?

How many times have we ignored and fought back that feeling in our guts to lean in?

How many times have we created a narrative in our minds, justifying our lack of compassion for another human?

If we’re honest….. probably more times than we can count.

I truly believe that we are always being prepared, and set up, so that we can step up and step out to love and care for those around us.?I believe that what we typically see as coincidence and seemingly insignificant, are the exact moments that have presented to us in hopes that we will use the gifts, talents, and skills we’ve been given to make a positive impact.

If we want the world to be what many of us hope it can be, we need to put loving people over personal priorities and schedules.?We need to put loving people over inconvenience.?

Mother Theresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

What ripples are you going to create today?