Encouraging words in an unexpected place

I took the children to Dollar Tree yesterday to let them pick out some balloons and gifts as a part of my Aunt Brenda's belated birthday gift. Now, going anywhere with my five children ages 7 and under is a feat, but I think that I am finally getting used to it. I've been mommy to 5 for five months now. But we made it in, found our gifts and balloons, and proceeded to check out.


Well, the young man who was running the cash register at the store was probably about 19 or 20. He had a very cheerful attitude, and said to me, “Are all these beautiful children yours?” I said, “Yes”. He then said to me, “Is this all you have or do you have more?” I responded, “This is all I have, so far”. His response was very surprising. He said, “So far? That's what I like to hear”. As I was leaving he said to me, “God bless you for having all these beautiful children”.


I walked away so surprised. It was great to not get the typical, “You've got your hands full!!” I was in shock for a while. Hearing encouraging words from a young man at the dollar store was the last place I would have expected, but it was very refreshing. I thank the LORD for pleasant surprises in unexpected places.