I don’t often carry cash, but I knew I had $10 in my wallet. A friend had given it to me the day before when we’d worked out our bill for a couple of cappuccinos and muffins for morning tea.

Waiting in the supermarket express line with my two litres of milk and a loaf of bread, I decided I might as well use the cash to pay for them. As I pulled my wallet out of my handbag, I became aware of the interaction between the check-out assistant and the customer in front of me. Her card had declined.

She wasn’t buying many items; it looked like her supper for that night. A packet of pasta, jar of sauce, small tub of yogurt and a packet of biscuits were lined up on the conveyer belt. About $10 worth.

“My pay hasn’t gone in by the look of it,” she told the clerk with a self-conscious smile. The shop assistant smiled back kindly and suggested leaving an item or two behind.

I swear that $10 bill was burning my hand. I hesitated, watching the woman while she decided what not to buy. I took a breath, stepped closer to her and held out the note.

“How annoying for you! Please—it would be my pleasure.”

She looked at me, took it and gave it to the clerk. The transaction complete, the assistant gave her a few coins in change. The woman thanked me and, still a bit flustered, left. She’d gone a few steps before she turned around and came back, handing me the coins.

“It’s your change, not mine. Thank you again.” We smiled at each other.

The opportunities to offer small gestures of kindness are often fleeting. FAYE MICHELSON

Moment of Hesitation

Later, I thought about my moment’s hesitation before I’d offered that gesture of goodwill.

Was it because I was worried about embarrassing her or was I concerned that she might think I was being condescending? What if she was offended and told me to mind my own business? Would I feel uncomfortable or rude for meddling? So many thoughts!

What I did feel, though, was a sense of relief knowing that a woman could have supper because a stranger had shown her a small gesture of solidarity in times when we all know money is tight.

But I also felt disappointed in myself over that hesitation. Why was I even thinking about how I might feel? If my internal dialogue had gone on much longer, she would have left the supermarket and that chance to care for someone, even in such a low-key way, would have been lost. It’s as if Paul, an early church leader, was saying to me: “Look out for one another’s interests, not just your own” (Philippians 2:4 Good News Translation).

The opportunities to offer small gestures of kindness are often fleeting; hesitate and they are gone. Next time I won’t hesitate.

Reprinted from Salvos, October 19, 2024

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