“I just want out of this store,” I groaned as I lay my head down on my arms folded across the red handle of my very full cart. White plastic bags were in a large mound daring to slip off. Evidence of the time spent in the huge store. Two of my girls gripped their tiny pudgy fingers around the metal grates – yelled at one too many times to “stay close” “don’t touch” “put down” “come here” “be quiet” – they clung tightly in an attempt to obey momma’s commands one last time…
I was tired. I was SO tired. And I heard the irritation in my voice that was directed at the lady as the register. “I don’t care if my rewards work…I just want to be done.” Because – STICK A FORK IN ME – I AM DONE!!!
When I finally slumped in the seat of my van after unloading was what hopefully a week’s worth of food – and two small girls – I closed my eyes and attempted to muster up the energy it would take to drive 30 minutes home. Bless that cashier for dealing with my attitude. I felt guilty. I felt bad for not being more kind. I felt very “non-Christian” as I sat and prayed my medication would work quickly or even at all as I drove home on the long county roads.
My auto-immune disease (myasthenia gravis) had been flaring for months my energy was sucked dry only hours after waking up each day. My medicine was working minimally. And the demands of wife and mother don’t stop because you are sick. Perhaps what makes it even worse is that I don’t even look sick. I look perfectly healthy – it’s all on the inside and it different each day if not each hour.
BUT how do we look Christ-like when we are in our moments of suffering?
We show grace when we are the cashier. We realize that bad days and moments happen. And we don’t take offense when we end up on the receiving end. Because the truth is…you don’t know that woman’s story. You don’t know what happened that day, week, month, year, or lifetime. And it doesn’t matter that you don’t always know. You’ll probably never know her whole story. But remember THERE IS A STORY. And do your best to extend grace and love because THAT is a beautiful picture of Christ.
That cashier had every right to believe that I was a grouchy mom, and she probably did! You’ve probably had all the evidence to point to someone being grouchy, stupid, mean, ignorant, selfish, lazy, rude…etc – all the things that rub us the wrong way. But instead of assuming…just say, I don’t know her story and leave it be. Don’t dwell on it. Don’t stew in it. Don’t take offense to it…leave it be.
And if YOU are having a bad year, day, hour…
Remember “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Desiring Today 