In the middle of Aldi’s frozen food aisle, I “did” church.
Right in between the tater tots and frozen peas, I almost missed it. I’m so grateful I didn’t.
Since I’ve been studying Scripture on imperfect hospitality, I’ve begged the Holy Spirit to heighten my awareness on the topic. After four decades of following Him, I’m having my own mini-revival in my own heart.
It’s hard to explain, but He’s opening my eyes in new ways. He’s perked my ears to conversations that I typically stroll by, and He’s revealing powerful stories simply because I’m slowing down enough to walk this road of welcome wherever I go.
Stay alert, aware, and engage are my mantras. I’m turning apathy into attentiveness.
As I chaperoned a D.C. high school trip, my sister-in-love and I were tasked with meal prep. As I pushed my grocery cart, I observed the oddest pairing of shoppers: an elderly white man and a young African American man pushing a cart together.
I started eavesdropping on their conversation.
The boy held up two items and he contemplated, “If I buy this, it’s twice as much as that, so I can’t afford both.” He put the treat back and the man gave a short commentary about his decision.
Is it weird that I started tearing up? I can’t begin to explain how this moment impacted me. I stumbled upon an older man mentoring a younger man on the simple tasks of grocery shopping. A daily act that we take for granted.
I inched closer and “went on my phone.” OK, I’ll admit it. I stalked them because I was so moved by this seemingly ordinary, mundane task.
I wanted to yell over the loudspeaker, “Life changing legacy on Aisle 7. Pay close attention, this is how we do life together.”
No one seemed to notice.
I found my sister-in-law and we moved to full blown stalker status. There’s no time to second guess when the Lord directs you to speak encouragement, so we approached them, “We didn’t meant to eavesdrop <yes, we did>, but we wanted you to know how special it is to watch your relationship. Thanks for teaching him. I wished we would have had someone teach us how to shop.”
For a split second, I panicked. How will they respond? Did we offend? I better clarify, “It seemed like you were shopping together. We love seeing you do that as a team.”
For the next forty five minutes, we “did” church together in an inner city grocery store with John, a 77-year-old white man and Kaqueen, a 20-year-old black man attempting to find focus for his future.
As John shared their unique story of friendship and struggle, he looked at Kaqueen, “Am I embarrassing you? You’re OK with this, right?”
Feeling defensive of his feelings, I interrupted, “Trust me, nothing to be embarrassed about. Our sons are the same age. You can come teach them to grocery shop any day.”
“I don’t have any sons.” John remarked.
But Kaqueen butted in, “I’m his number one son.”
Our conversation went back and forth diving into their history. John continued, “I told him he should consider the Army as a possibility. Why should he struggle and work three jobs to make ends meet. Doesn’t he want to get out of this neighborhood? I know. I’ve lived here for thirty years. It’s become a tough place to change your life. I’m letting him live in my apartment until he can get on his feet. I want more for him.”
We felt led to affirm Kaqueen’s value and point Him to the only One who can truly rescue him.
“Do you know that God has made you for a beautiful purpose? He sends angels our way to help fulfill purposes in our life and we think John is that for you. You matter. Generations need your story. How many 20-year-olds have a man like this in their life?”
Kaqueen added, “I love hanging out with him more than my own friends. I learn things and think about things that I would never think about with my own friends.”
My sister-in-law and I continued, “The world needs young people that are being mentored and anchored because then you can make a difference for others. We believe you are going to be a world changer.”
Matter of factly, he responded, “I don’t exactly know what that means, but I think I believe that.”
I told him, “Twenty years from now, you’ll be shopping with your own children telling them what an impact John had on your life. This is a beautiful picture of what the world needs. Life on life, black and white, young and old, inter-generational friendships encouraging one another.”
“Yeah, we should be on TV,” Kaqueen determined.
“Yes,” we chuckled in agreement, “this would make the best feel-good Hallmark movie because it’s all true.”
Then John made a comment that caused me to pause, “In twenty years, I doubt he will even remember me.”
Clear the aisle because I jumped on ten soap boxes to affirm his significance and calling.
“Your hospitality, your mentorship — he will never forget you. You are changing his generational tree. His children’s children will thank you.”
As we parted, he stopped us, “Thank you for interrupting us today. I have a lot to think about. I will not forget this.”
Neither will I. Neither will I.
Walk the road of welcome, my friends. There are Kaqueens and Johns waiting to share their story, and you never know where the Lord will ask you to share yours.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
Jennifer, I’m so thankful that you overheard that conversation and then spoke into it yourself. So often I’m faint-hearted, assuming that I’ll be intruding when I should seize every opportunity to affirm the pursuit of righteousness when it’s right under my nose.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Thank you, Michelle. I think we’re all faint hearted at some time and it’s these special moments that remind us of what we may be missing. 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jen,
Your story reminded me of my opportunity to “do church” and show hospitality in the middle of the frozen food aisle. I pushed my cart to head down the aisle and saw an elderly woman, who I would later learn was Vietnamese, trying to reach some frozen vegetables on the top shelf in the freezer. She was also “blessed” with shortness like me. I asked her what she was reaching for and preceded to open the door and climb the shelves until I could reach the top shelf and the prized vegetables she was wanting. She found my antics hilarious and so when I jumped back down we both had a good belly laugh and talked about the disadvantages of being short.
This led to introductions and her revealing that she wanted to make soup for her family with whom she lived and I heard tales about how she got out of Vietnam. I stayed and I listened – all the while my frozen foods were melting – but I felt like I was right where I needed to be and so I settled in. She told me about how she was an orphan and I told her about my ministry that helps orphans and I felt like God met us, two people from very different worlds, right there in the frozen food aisle. I think back upon this and how I could have easily just passed her by and let her fend for herself, but I would have missed the opportunity to tell about God’s goodness in a very simple way to someone who perhaps needed to know that He cared about her.
Amen to slowing down long enough to hear peoples’ stories and to plant Kingdom seeds….lovely, Jen!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Bev – what a precious story. Yes, definitely a God appointed time for both of us as our frozen foods melted. 🙂
Stacey Pardoe says
Jennifer, this is a beautiful retelling of what you saw between the aisles. If we would all reach out with hearts to invest in those following behind us, think of how the world would be changed! Thank you for noticing, and thank you for sharing this story.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
You are so welcome, Stacey.
Thank you for commenting.
Amy says
Oh gosh I just loved all of this! I am definitely an eavesdropper;) There have been many great conversations with people I didn’t know because I listened and decided to interrupt and say what I was thinking too. Thank you for making me realize that maybe my eavesdropping wasn’t about being nosy but An opportunity God has set before me.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Nope, not nosy at all – an opportunity to make this big, huge world feel a little smaller. 🙂
Karmen says
So incredible!
Cindy says
This is just beautiful, in every way.
Karen says
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! The aisles of Walmart and Kroger have provided some of the sweetest divine appointments ever! NEVER underestimate the power of an encounter over a dozen eggs!
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Absolutely!! 🙂
Pearl Allard says
Jennifer, this is SUCH a blessing to read! Imperfect hospitality happening in the frozen food aisle? I can do that! I DO do that! I had no idea that “counted.” I’ve always considered myself deficient in hospitality. (As if it’s a vitamin, or something.) Besides being a beautiful story, you’ve opened my eyes to a surprising possibility that maybe I’m not so off-track, after all!
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Yes, you CAN do that, Pearl. It definitely counts.
So many of us feel that hospitality may not be our “Gift” but as I’ve been digging in deep into living a life of welcome, sometimes it looks different that what society might tell us. (But I bet you have aren’t deficient in this area at all. :))
Liz says
How wonderful that you and your sister chose to affirm these two men in the blessings in their relationships. Staying focused on our purpose and on solidarity can smooth out rough places as we seek to live together in peace and love.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Yes, Liz!! I love that thought of continuing to smooth out rough places as we seek to live together in peace and love. 🙂
cammie says
Wow! I absolutely love this!! Life changing for both of those precious men!
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Thank you, Cammie. 🙂
Donna says
My heartbeat (and the heartbeat of Jesus)…..life on life. Thank you for sharing.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Yes, life on life. May we all continue to seek it out.
Penny says
Jennifer,
This was deeply touching, if not for you we wouldn’t of had the pleasure of reading it. The kindness of the elder, and willingness of the younger’s acceptance will instill a memorable experience for a lifetime. By being aware we can help make a difference as we never know where the Lord will lead us. Thank-you for sharing your awareness.
On the weekend a neighbor who has transformed his yard into a food garden, asked if my son and I would like a tour. As we proceeded he suggested we take our shoes off in order to get the full experience. I was then offered to help myself to whatever I please. Afterwards we were invited to join him, and his roommates for dinner in the garden.There weren’t chairs, or table settings but it was the most enjoyable hospitality I’ve experienced in a long time.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Oh Penny – thank you so much for sharing your story. What a precious time. I LOVE hearing those kind of hospitable moments. 🙂
Amber says
This story does a beautiful job illustrating the little golden nuggets we find when we live in the moment and stop to watch our surroundings. It encourages me to act on those moments when I feel the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for sharing!
Kim Kempf says
Pass the tissues, please! Only the Lord knows what an impact your exchange with these two precious souls was made! Praying blessings to you today, dear Jennifer, and also for them, because He knows and sees. Thank you for a beautiful post today.
Hugs, Kim
Toni says
This story had me in tears this morning because I’ve spent my life in ministry trying to impact teenagers for Christ. At 67 and retired I still want God to use me to impact lives. Thank you for this beautiful reminder that he will….if we just keep our eyes open for opportunities….even in the grocery store!!!
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Toni –
thank you, thank you for your time and the years you’ve invested. We NEED you. We need your wisdom and experience and while those teens you’ve ministered to may not know it or acknowledge it, their lives are being changed because of your investment!!!! xoxoxox
Serena says
Your story is so beautiful and touching. Thank you for this great reminder of ‘doing church’ right where we are. It’s more than just going to church on Sunday. It’s connecting with whoever God put in our daily, moment by moment encounters. Let’s be attentive to the Holy Spirit and live life to the fullest remembering how Jesus encountered us in one of these moments. Thank you!
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Thank you , Serena!!
Yes, attentive to the Holy Spirit is my continual prayer. 🙂
Rebecca L Jones says
Maybe Hallmark would be interested. There should be more feel good television, and less silly romances. And this is reality, reality tv isn’t.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Trust me, after we left, I wished I would have gotten their contact information to keep in touch with them.
Richella Parham says
YES! Thank you for letting us in on the conversation as well. Next time you doubt whether you’re called to speak into such a conversation, remember that we’re cheering for you. And may we all learn from your example.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Thank you, sweet friend. 🙂
I would LOVE to have a conversation with you in real life. Surely we can make that happen sometime this year? 🙂
Julie says
I teared up just reading this. The interruption, the affirmation just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Nancy Ruegg says
Praise God for his prompting, and kudos to you, Jennifer, for stepping out in faith to encourage that older gentleman and his young friend. You’ve inspired me (an older woman!) to step out in faith and encourage the younger folks around me. I’ve let my own insecurities and feelings of irrelevancy get in the way of starting the conversation as you did in Aisle #7. We DO need to do life together: youth inspires energy and passion; older folks can offer the voice of experience and perhaps a bit of wisdom. P.S. ‘Loved that closing line: “Walk the road of welcome.” I want to make that MY mantra! Thank you, Jennifer.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Nancy –
Let’s make that all our mantra, right? Walk the road of welcome!!!! Where ever the Lord had planted us, HE prompts us to lead with the gift of invitation.
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
Kudos for slowing down to hear and encourage them. We all need to slow down more and listen. Be on the lookout for chances to encourage others. We’re all on this planet and we need to do life together. We were not meant to live alone, but in community. Go ahead encourage someone, help them out. Show them the love of God!
Blessings 🙂
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Exactly, Beth. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life, we forget what’s most important. So thankful the Lord had me slowing down to listen that day. 🙂
Mindy says
love love loved this. thank you for sharing it