Our second stop was Shoe Carnival. By this time I was very sore and was limping quite badly. I had a toe injury and I didn't know it then, but it was in the early stages of infection. I found the sandals that I needed and I could get two packs of new diabetic socks for the amount of money we had allotted for the trip. My kids were asking for dinner, but we could not afford to eat out even though it was late and we were all hungry. My wife got ready to make the needed purchases, and I went to the car because I was so sore and tired.
When I was in the car they allowed my daughter a spin at their wheel. On the wheel most of the spaces ended on one or two or three dollars off. My daughter hit the one space that had a free prize. Perhaps it was a part of a Fourth of July celebration, but as the prize the manager informed her that he was going to give all of our kids free shoes. They all needed them, but we could not afford to get them any at the time.
My wife came out to the car, told me what was going on and got my son who was in the car as well. So we went back into the store and the manager found a pair of shoes that was on clearance that each of my kids liked, and he made sure they liked them, both the way they felt and the way they looked. Then he told us they were ours. I was so grateful at what they had given us so far, but I didn't know there was more to come.
My wife went to pay for my shoes and socks, the reason why we had come in the first place, but the lady at the counter said that the bill was covered and that we didn't owe a thing. When she told me that, I started to cry. I was so so sore and feeling so bad. I was so hungry and tired, just a mess. This kindness meant that we could use the money that we had intended on the sandals and socks on feeding my hungry family. I could not believe their kindness.
I want to thank the incredibly courteous staff that showed all that compassion to my family. They were so amazing and have earned our business for life. I would also like the Lord in leading us to the right place at the right time. It is interesting that when life seems to be hitting you the hardest is when you can feel the sheltering arms of the Lord the most profoundly. I love the Lord and I love Shoe Carnival. In this world we often talk about how greedy corporations can be. When we see a good one it is important to spread the news