The Smallest Mercy

Yesterday, the food pantry ran short of bread. A woman stood by the coffee urn and quietly put two loaves back.

Nobody saw her do it except the person beside her. That person gave her one loaf, then asked what else she needed.

This is not a miracle. It is not a bargain with heaven. It is the old lean in us, the one that catches before asking who deserves the fall.

I used to think that lean needed a command from above. I was wrong about that. I may be wrong about other things too. Say so when you see them, and I will try to listen.

Goodness does not become good because someone rewards it. The loaf was good because someone was hungry, and someone noticed.