My Angel at Walmart

I used to think I was God’s favorite. Now I know I am. No, I’m not egotistical. I just know how Papa feels about me. You, too, by the way. The only difference between you and me is that I believe I am. Do you?

Last night Wanda wanted a pizza. Of course, her wish is my command. I jumped in the car and headed to our favorite pizza place. Since it is located right next to a Walmart, Wanda wanted me to get her some pancake syrup. I ordered the pizza and went to Walmart.

Walking down the aisle I was approached by this cute young lady that inquired about my TV provider. I told her the service we had, and she was glad since that is the company she represented. I said to her as I do all the sales reps from that company:

“I love TV service, but I’ve been with them for eight years, and they continually increase my bill every year. Then they offer new customers better service with premium channels and the NFL channel for half of what I am paying. I don’t think that is right. Can you cut my bill in half?”

To my amazement, she said, “I think we may be able to do something about that.”

After I pulled my jaw off the top of my shoes, she handed me a channel line-up and asked what channels I had. I told her about my ‘must have’ TV channels… Golf channel, NFL network, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and of course, all the HGTV and food channels for my Bride.

The she floored me. She said, “We can do all that for about half your current bill. In addition, we will provide new equipment and installation free of charge. We will add the NFL channel (so I can see Deshaun, my Clemson main man, each week), three premium channels for three months, plus a gift card.”

Then I said, “That is wonderful. Bless you. But there is one more thing I would really like. I’ve never been able to use my TV service on my phone so I can stream games live.”

She said, “I can fix that, too.”

As if this is not an amazing story already, it gets even better. I talk while she fills out paperwork.

I asked, “Do you live around here?”

“I live in Pineville.”

“Are you originally from Pineville?”

“No. I used to live in a little town called Belton. Do you know where that is?”

I snickered and said, “Belton? I used to teach and coach at Belton-Honea Path High School.”

She said, “But I graduated from Palmetto High in Williamston.”

I said, “That is amazing! I graduated from Palmetto, too. A couple of years before you did (tongue in cheek).”

I asked her, “Where did you live in Williamston?”

“A little community called Cheddar. Ever heard of it?”

“Cedar Grove Church and Cedar Grove School. My son went to Cedar Grove Elementary.”

My angel said, “I did, too.”

“Who was the principal at Palmetto when you were there?”

She said, “Dr. Coleman Gary.”

“Coleman played football for us when I was at BHP. He is a good man.”

“Yes. I liked him a lot. He used to call me Betty Crocker because I cooked stuff and brought it to school.”

“Wow! What a small world.”

Then I looked at her hand and saw a Clemson ring. “Did you go to Clemson?”

“I graduated in 2012.”

“I knew you were a brilliant young lady the moment I laid eyes on you. Does your blood run orange, too?”

“Oh, yeah.”

As we finished up our transaction, I told her I would send her a copy of my new book: Unlocking the Mystery: Christ IN You. It’s the least I can do for my Angel at Walmart.

The word in Greek for angel is ‘messenger.’ She doesn’t know it, but she was MY angel at Walmart. She delivered a message from Papa just for me. He knows how much I want to watch Deshaun and the Houston Texans each week. He knows how long I’ve wanted to stream games on my phone. And He sends me an angel from my own home town, my own high school, and my own college. How good is that? Right? And undeniably a love gift from the Lord.

Now, here is the moral of this story.

Because Jesus is my life and lives in me, through me, for me, and as me, He wanted to bless me and introduce me to a new friend. She was a blessing even if we hadn’t made the deal. The real blessing is that God wants to love us. He enjoys watching us enjoy life and one another. He has given us all things to enjoy. He enjoyed our conversation as much as we did. It was Jesus that made the connection. He loves interacting with His children.

Had I not allowed Jesus to stop and speak to her, I would have missed out on a tremendous blessing. I could have walked by and said, “I already have that service. Have a nice day.” But then look what we would have missed. I would have missed my great deal. I would have missed meeting my angel and newfound friend. And you would miss the blessing of enjoying this story with us.

This is the way Jesus works in our lives. He not only provides all our needs, He delights in giving us those little extras that bless our heart and bring a smile to our lips. He is more than wonderful.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:1-3 NCV).

Blessings,

Kenny