A Christian Short Story: A Moment of Pain
Matthew stood staring into the refrigerator, helpless. The only thing glowing inside was the bright bulb. A few condiments sat motionless on the door shelves, nothing more.
“Daddy, I’m hungry,” his two-year-old said softly.
“I know,” Matthew replied, disappointment washing over his face.
He hadn’t eaten in two days, and his son hadn’t eaten since that morning.
God, why are we struggling like this?! he thought, slamming the fridge door shut.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?”
Tears spilled onto the kitchen floor as Matthew slid down against the cabinet. “Daddy’s just frustrated,” he admitted. He didn’t have the strength to hide his emotions today. He knew he couldn’t be perfect all the time.
His son’s stomach growled, and that sound pierced him deeper than any words could. He stood up quickly and checked the cupboards; empty.
Desperate to escape reality, he pulled out his phone and started scrolling through Facebook. Ads and memes flooded his feed, then he saw a post that said:
“Sometimes we lack because our faith doesn’t match up.”
He scoffed and shook his head. Haven’t I had faith? What else do You want from me, Lord?
Then came a soft, still voice:
“Go to the store.”
Go to the store? And do what? I don’t have any money.
Again, the voice:
“Go to the store.”
Matthew stood frozen, conflicted. “You want me to go to the store with no money?”
“Daddy, I’m hungry. I want to eat.”
Matthew looked at his son, heart aching. “Son… let’s go to the store.”
“Yay!”
His heart and mind raced in sync. What do I have to lose? Anxiety crept in. This is dumb. How will you pay? How will you feed him, or yourself? Still, he drove to the nearest store.
He placed his son in the front of the cart and started walking down the aisles. Each step was heavy, but he reminded himself to trust God.
“Son, what do you want to eat?”
“A Lunchable!”
He grabbed a few Lunchables, some pasta, spaghetti sauce, and hamburger meat. When he reached the checkout line, fear gripped him. Two people stood ahead. One woman in front smiled at him. He forced a smile back; it felt fake.
God, now what? I’m in line feeling like a fool!
The woman turned again, still smiling. The cashier rang up her items; chicken, steak, pork chops, butter, milk, eggs, bread, cereal, lunch meat, cheese, and more.
Matthew’s heart pounded. It was almost his turn, and he had no money. He placed a divider between their groceries and nervously added his few items behind it, gripping the cart with sweaty palms.
“Your total is $345,” the cashier told the woman.
She swiped her card, then turned back to Matthew.
“Sir, remove the separator. I’d like to pay for your groceries.”
His eyes widened, eyebrows lifted. “Huh?”
She chuckled softly at his shock and moved the divider herself.
“Your total now comes to $386,” the cashier said.
Matthew stood frozen, not fully processing what was happening. The woman swiped her card again and began placing all the groceries, hers and his, into her cart.
Then she turned to him.
“Sir, the Lord told me to come to the store and fill a basket with food. I didn’t know who it was for… until I saw you. Everything I bought is for you and your son. Be blessed and take care.”
Tears welled in Matthew’s eyes.
“Ma’am… are you sure? I just don’t..,”
“There’s no need to explain. God is good. Take care, and be encouraged.”
Matthew’s mouth hung open. “Thank you!”
The cashier smiled warmly. “There are still good people in this world.”