The Grace of a Jar of Peanut Butter

by Admin · February 2, 2015

The Mustard Seeds column is entering its second year of life. A year ago, I laid out my dream for this column: a place to share stories of hope and experiences of practical faith. I also asked the readers of The Southern Cross to share their mustard seed stories, so that we can all be enriched. Its my pleasure, this month, to make way to a wonderful storyteller, Karin Human from Queenswood parish in Pretoria, who shares with us how a jar of peanut butter can become a seed of hope, a moment of lift in the darkness of despair. Its also a reminder how the Holy Spirit can call us to service in the most insignificant of moments, like standing in a queue at the supermarket! Thanks Karin, for being the first guest contributor to this column. May you be the first of many!

In a guest contribution to the Mustard Seeds column, Karin Human recalls a recent peanut butter incident

I popped into the supermarket recently and sped through the express tills with my two items.

While waiting for my turn, I watched other people in the queues. Along came a 20-something guy, neatly dressed but in worn clothing. He had two loaves of bread, one tin of fish and a small bottle of peanut butter. He looked like he really needed it.

When time came to pay I saw him hunt through his pockets; obviously he was a little short in the money he held in his hand. He looked very dismayed. You could see his studious deliberation of the items bought and the peanut butter was handed back, and voided.

That jar of peanut butter lay there, to one side. I looked at it and suddenly it represented to me so many things: injustice, unfairness, someone who could not even afford four items at that moment in time.

I closed the distance between me and the cashier, to enquire how short his money had actually been. Seventy cents. A paltry 70c stood between him and a nutritious spread for his bread.

I grabbed R20 out of my pocket, shoved it in her hand and told her I would be back for the change. Grabbing the jar I dashed after him.

In an attempt to help, the cashier shouted to security at the door to catch him. Perhaps not the best assistance.

Picture this: A young guy carrying a couple of items and a woman running after him waving a peanut butter jar, with two security guards in tow.

When we caught up to him I quickly planted the jar in his hands and said: Here, I saw you were short, I have paid it for you. Unfortunately, his English was minimal, so he didnt understand what I was saying and was probably scared to death as I had the security with me. He just kept shaking his head and handing it back.

By now the security guards were translating the peanut butter story into two languages, and I was wishing I had paid more attention to my Sotho classes in school.

Suddenly the light dawned on the man. Thank you, he said. And again. And once again.

In his eyes I saw immense gratitude. I also saw despair and weariness.

We all have problems and challenges. Some peoples are much larger than those of others, but as I always tell my kids: There is always someone behind you in the food chain, and we have a responsibility to help. Someone in your office who perhaps needs a sandwich, a friend at school you can take a juice for, a school uniform that can be passed on, a cold drink for the car guard standing in the midday heat.

So I urge you: Do it pay it forward. Because maybe one day that person at the till returning an item could be you. Life can change in an instant.

But if anyone has the worlds goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does Gods love abide in him? (1 Jn 3:17)

Karin Humans blog, titled Cest la Vie, is at www.kikidee690.blogspot.com. In it she shares her stories of faith in everyday situations and family life.