I stood in line at Aldi and contemplated long and hard.
Two tarps for $10. They weren't big, but they would be beneficial. I've needed one in the past. Something inside of me urged me to just buy the tarps. But I've been trying to save money after my trip to CO and so after putting them in and out of my cart two times, I left the tarps on the shelf.
Fast forward two weeks.
I'm standing in line at a local food truck and noticed a homeless man shuffling through his belongings. I asked if he needed any food because "I can just double my order and it's no problem." He thanked me kindly but answered "I bought food, but what I could really use is a tarp." The brisk wind and scattered raindrops hit my skin and sank deeper, straight to my heart.
I was standing in an Aldi line. I said no to the tarp. Now my hands were empty.
As I drove away I was encouraged to listen, more often, to the sometimes quiet voice deep inside.
I choose not to carry guilt, only the regret of a missed opportunity, and the renewed conviction to discern with more intention the next time I'm deliberating the Quick Finds section of Aldi.
