From Reverend Ed of the First Parish UU Church-A Truly Amazing Story
"Yesterday I preached in Attleboro. As I left they tried to give me $250. I tried to give it back and the usual back and forth ensued. Finally I accepted the check. As I left the church I decided I would use the check to purchase food for our project. I went to a nearby Wal-Mart where I loaded a cart with food as high as I could reach—mainly bright orange boxes of 12 pack of noodles. I slowly and carefully found my way to a cashier. In front of me was a woman and her two sons. I would guess 8 and 12. One of them asked, “Do you like noodles?” I said, “yes, but they are not for me.” The mother said, “This summer is the first time they have had ramen noodles. They don’t get them too often because of the high sodium.” I replied, “Where these noodles are going we are more concerned for full bellies over a little more salt.” She asked, “Are they for a food pantry?” I said, “Yes, I’m a minister and our church and Messiah Baptist Church in Brockton are trying to increase the number of families they feed from 30 to 50 families—and maybe to 100 families.” She said, “I would like to pay for the food.” “You would like to pay for a box of noodles?” I asked. “All of it.” She said. I said, “you pay for the noodles and I’ll pay for the rest.” “No, all of it” she said.
I couldn’t believe it! I was almost crying. “Bless you! Bless you! I said. Please, what is your name?” She said, “You don’t need my name.” I pleaded, “Please, this is such a wonderful story; please give me you name.” and jokingly, I added, “I want to put you on my Christmas list.” “My boys,” she said, “need to see that good things need to be done for no other gain than having done them.” By then the good feeling of joy was spreading and a couple of additional clerks joined in helping us.
It was over three hundred dollars of food.
Finally, as I was leaving, pulling two carts behind me she said, “Here are the names of my sons; maybe you will pray of them.” On the paper was written—Tigist and Gizaw.
I have been telling the story and thinking about them constantly. Each time I feel their generosity in my heart with joy and happiness and on my lips I say, “Bless you. Bless you Tigist. Bless you Gizaw. And bless your mom, who wants you to grow into the very best being a human being might be."
I couldn’t believe it! I was almost crying. “Bless you! Bless you! I said. Please, what is your name?” She said, “You don’t need my name.” I pleaded, “Please, this is such a wonderful story; please give me you name.” and jokingly, I added, “I want to put you on my Christmas list.” “My boys,” she said, “need to see that good things need to be done for no other gain than having done them.” By then the good feeling of joy was spreading and a couple of additional clerks joined in helping us.
It was over three hundred dollars of food.
Finally, as I was leaving, pulling two carts behind me she said, “Here are the names of my sons; maybe you will pray of them.” On the paper was written—Tigist and Gizaw.
I have been telling the story and thinking about them constantly. Each time I feel their generosity in my heart with joy and happiness and on my lips I say, “Bless you. Bless you Tigist. Bless you Gizaw. And bless your mom, who wants you to grow into the very best being a human being might be."
