More Than Bags of Groceries

“Is this the home of the happy Willifords?”

He called through the screen in the front door.  (It’s still warm in Denver.)  I came to the door and met Gil, the delivery man for evening groceries.

I invited him inside, and he carried a heavy load with grocery bags looped over his forearms.  I remember with a flash – this is the same way Robb carried groceries in from the car.

Gil made trip after trip from his truck to our kitchen, and we chatted during his brief moments inside.

“Look at these flowers.  You have your husband trained well,” he smiled.

“Well, actually…”

I told him the Reader’s Digest version: my husband died nearly two years ago, and I’ve decided it’s a good idea to order flowers for myself, for no reason but to brighten the kitchen and share my joy with myself.

He shared his sympathy, as most people do when they meet us and see for themselves how whole and yet broken we are.

He said most of his deliveries are to widows, shut-ins, and young moms who are willing to pay the extra few dollars to avoid the tantrums of small, angry children.

Well, I could fall into any or all three of those categories on any given day.

He told me his story as he set my produce on the counter.  He and his wife experienced 25 years of infertility, and when most people their age were approaching the lifestage of grandparenting, they adopted two little boys from Russia.

When they brought their sons home, nearly everyone they encountered believed Gil and his wife were taking their grandchildren out for the afternoon.  Few realized these boys were written into their family through the labor pains of love.

Just before Gil left my home to venture out to the next recipient of a week’s worth of recipes, he said, “I have something for you.  Just one minute.  I’ll be right back.”

He returned with a gift for me: a book about Heaven.  He carries copies in his backpack and asks God to show him who might be encouraged by the gift.

This, right here, is ministry where you are.  He drives a grocery delivery truck and asks God to show him whom he might encourage along the path of his day.

Gil and I have a standing date, once evening a week.  Meals included.

Tricia Lott Williford

Comments are closed

  1. What a great example!

  2. I LOVE that. It makes me glad to know that there are people still out there who care and are image bearers for Christ.

  3. Encouraging… and convicting. Please Lord fill my backpack with Your message and give me the courage to carry it to the one(s) who need(s) it.

  4. Brought me to tears! Such a loving God!

  5. 🙂

  6. i love your stories!! thanks
    god bless you!!

  7. Everyday I am filled with exitement to see an new post email from your website! Love this story and every story I have ever read from you. I am feeling so OFF lately I cant put my finger on all of it or even how to fix it……..but your stories just make me smile and sometimes thats all we need!

You Are Safe Now

Available April 9, 2024

This Book Is for You

Now Available
A book about falling in love with the Bible

Just. You. Wait.

Now Available
#1 New Title on Amazon in Christian Inspiration

You Can Do This

Now Available
#1 New Title on Amazon in Women's Issues!

Let's Pretend We're Normal

Now Available
#1 Bestseller on Amazon in Single Parenting

And Life Comes Back

Now Available
#1 in Denver Post: Nonfiction Paperback and Finalist for 2015 Christian Book Award
© 2015-2024 Tricia Lott Williford. All Rights Reserved. Site by Concept To Web.