The other day you were all just itching to use some money that you had earned. We have a pretty hard rule against any impulse buying. After talking about it they all decided that they really wanted to buy lunch for each other after we were finished with karate. So the decision was final.
Talia wanted to get Taco Bell for her and Joshua and Gabe wanted to get a subway sandwich for him and Elijah. After finishing up at Taco Bell we headed to Subway.
"Mom, I really want to go in by myself and do this." Gabe told me. So after parking in a spot I could see through the windows, he headed in and got in line. Talia ran in after him to see how he was doing. While she was in there I could see that Gabe got to the counter and started his order by telling the lady what he wanted and then handing her money. There was an older gentleman, probably 60 years old, watching him the whole time. I saw that this man said something, Talia and Gabe looked at each other, then Talia promptly ran out to me.
So the scene proceeded to look like Gabe ordering the sandwiches, then the man told him to go choose some chips and a drink. Which made Gabe SUPER excited because he didn't have enough money for those things, he had only planned on buying the sandwiches. I watched as the gentleman stayed by him, paid for his things, Gabe said "thank you" many times, smiled REALLY big at him and then ran out to me.
"MOM! Can you believe it?? He bought all of this for me! It was 14$ and he bought it all! I can't believe it!!"
All of the kids talked about how amazing it was he would use his money to do a service for Gabe.
"After all," Gabe said, "When you have enough to spare, you have enough to share. He was showing us how to be like Jesus!"
We pulled out of the parking lot after telling the Subway Man "Thank you" one more time and headed down the road. The kids talked about this act of service for the next 20 minutes. They were just amazed.
So as the next few days went on, we affectionally have started to referring to him as "The Subway Man". When the kids are selfish and not sharing, or fighting, or anything else that is selfish behavior one of them says, "Guys, remember the Subway Man." And immediately they will back up and try again to fix their behavior. This example instilled and rooted something in their souls.
As the mom, I can't even say how grateful I am for this man in our lives. He is going to go down in our family's history and he has no idea about it. We must always remember to be like "The Subway Man", especially for the children and those around us that are being affected when we don't even realize it.
Be like the Subway Man. Look for ways to share. Look for examples to give. And out of love, out of pure motivation of the Savior.
I love you,
Your Mom
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