The power of God’s grace and compassion for people was seen today at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Pinellas Park, Florida.
A couple entered the store and went to the men’s section where they began looking for black pants. The husband and wife had been unemployed for three months and Publix offered the husband a job. The couple was elated but quickly realized that he did not have the appropriate clothing needed for the job and that is how they ended up at the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
The husband entered the dressing room to try on pants while the wife waited nearby. The Store Manager had passed by her several times before she worked up the courage to speak with him about their situation. She said that they cannot afford to buy anything new. In fact, it would even be a stretch to purchase the items needed at thrift store prices so she asked if he could help. He asked, “Why type of help are you looking for?” She responded, “Could you authorize 50% off of our purchases?” He paused for a moment and said, “Yes, because we truly want to help people.” Then the Store Manager called over the Assistant Store Manager and said she may even give you a better deal and explained the couple’s situation. The Assistant Manager reviewed the couple’s purchases and offered to give three pairs of pants for free and 50% off the remaining two items in the shopping cart (a pair of shoes and one more pair of pants). The couple was elated and thanked both managers repeatedly.
When the couple arrived at the cashier station, they told the cashier what the Assistant Manager said and the cashier promptly rang up the two items and bagged the other pants without hesitation. As a matter of fact, the cashier offered words of encouragement along with his congratulations on the husband’s new job. To hear this was truly amazing! The couple then gathered their purchases while almost in tears as they walked towards the doors thanking God for his grace and for the compassionate staff who helped them.
Once outside, the husband turned to the wife and said, “You see how much God loves us!” The wife agreed and thanked Jesus and they walked to the car.
In this day and age of little kindness and compassion shown for our fellow man, it was refreshing to see God refresh this couple’s faith through the compassion and kindness of the Salvation Army Thrift Store Manager, Assistant Manager and Cashier!
May God bless all those involved!
Get The WORD Out! 