Ordinary Day, Ordinary People

Uncategorized 3 Minutes

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)

It was an ordinary day, and I was out doing ordinary chores, which almost always included a trip to the grocery store. At my age, I should have perfected the weekly grocery run, but my brain still hasn’t reached that level of order and organizational skills. So, as usual, I was checking out with a few things I had forgotten to buy a couple of days earlier.

The self-checkout machine was arguing with me about something, and one of the cashiers came over to help. I recognized her as the lady who reminds me of my friend Nancy, who lives in another city. Nancy is one of those people you just instantly like – friendly to everyone, with a bubbly personality, constant smile, and hair-trigger laugh. This grocery store employee seemed to have the same affable personality.

I like her, I thought.

Then tell her.

Was that God’s “still, small Voice” I just heard? I don’t know, but I thought, Why not?

“Thanks,” I said after she had clicked on a few buttons and got the machine cooperating again. She responded with a joke about the machines, as if they were children with minds of their own. I laughed. “I like you!” I added. She seemed a little taken aback at my bluntness, so I explained she reminded me of one of my favorite people, who was always so much fun to be with.

“She thoroughly enjoys life, and you seem like someone who does, too.”

“I try,” she said, smiling.

I put on my best analytical face. “Something tells me you don’t have to try very hard,” I said. “I would guess you’re just a fun person.”

There was that hair-trigger laugh, and I had a feeling I had brightened her day.

As I was leaving, a somewhat elderly man in a wheelchair was coming toward me. I moved to get out of his way, but he motioned to me to come over, as though he couldn’t contain his excitement about something amazing he just had to tell me. I leaned in a little to hear what he had to say.

“Do you know,” he asked, “who’s been beautiful their whole life?” I wasn’t sure I understood the question, so he repeated it.

“You?” I guessed, grinning and pointing to him. (He did seem like the same sort of person as the cashier, who just brought sunshine into everyone’s day.)

He shook his head emphatically. “No!” he giggled, pointing back. “YOU!” Now it was my turn to be taken aback.

“You just made my day!” I laughed, and from the way he chuckled, I got the feeling that I had somehow made his, too.

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) Two thousand years ago, Jesus – God incarnate – walked the earth as one of us. Today He walks the earth through millions of believers in which His promised Holy Spirit lives and moves. If we profess to believe in Him, then we should take seriously our admonition to affect the world around us with “the aroma of Christ.” (I Corinthians 2:15-17)

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-20) Maybe I have spent too much time online, but I’ve been under the impression that there’s a lot of anger in the world these days. But not everyone is angry all the time, as I saw the other day during an ordinary trip to get groceries. On my way home I marveled at how much my mood and attitude had been enhanced just by encountering a couple of ordinary people that the Lord is using to bring a little joy into the world.

Kinda makes me want to be one of them …

How can we “be Jesus” to someone today?

Prayer: Lord, there are so many things wrong in the world today, and people are rightly upset. But I’ve seen that getting angry rarely helps, unless it energizes me to be part of the solution. In the meantime, use me to bring light to dark places by showing Your love to my fellow mortals. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Unknown's avatar

Published by seekingdivineperspective

I am a forgiven sinner and adopted child of God, seeking to see life from His perspective - as opposed to the world's flawed perspective - and living my life accordingly.

Published

23 thoughts on “Ordinary Day, Ordinary People”

  5. Beautiful. It’s amazing how powerful following those little prompts can be. I once noticed the lovely makeup of the staff member dealing with the crowd at our airline check in desk. (This is something I never normally notice as I hardly ever wear makeup myself). Like you, I felt prompted to comment, and somewhat reluctantly did so. She beamed from ear to ear and thanked me profusely. It was almost as if the comment touched her soul and put a spring back into her step. I was so surprised at the power of a small compliment. Words in season can be truly life-giving.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. Your story reminded me of my supermarket visit a few days ago. I love talking to cashiers and baggers there. Last week, the cashier and I were talking, and I said something like, “You’re the gal whose husband is looking forward to turning 62 soon so that he can get a national parks lifetime senior pass.” She looked surprised and then pleased; the week before, she had commented on my Yosemite NP shirt, and I told her that this year, I had gotten that senior pass. I also complimented my bagger (a younger gal) on the good job she had done; she usually looks rather sad, but she had smiled at the back-and-forth between me and the cashier. Keep up the good “work,” Annie!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Kudos to you, Annie, for affirming the people you meet. I’ve experienced the same mood-lifting endorphins provided by friendly encounters with strangers. One time an elderly fellow pulled out of his pocket a funny cartoon to show me as we waited in the deli line. We laughed, he introduced himself as Fred, and we enjoyed a pleasant conversation. A number of aisles later I ran into him again. He was talking to another customer. “Fred! How are you?” I cried. “Oh! Do you know Fred?” the woman asked. “Yes!” I chirped. “He’s my good friend from the deli!” The three of us enjoyed a chuckle, a brief visit, and I, for one, felt a definite boost of mood! Surely they must have too. (Lord, may we spread this kind of holy sunshine wherever we go!)

    Like

    Reply

  14. Annie, this week I had to decisively “choose” to be more like Jesus during a Facebook exchange with an old friend who is now obviously antisemitic. Long story.

    He tried to challenge me on a pro-Israel post I had put up on my page concerning the new war against Hamas. My old buddy literally defended the terrorist actions of Hamas from this past weekend, adding that Israel is at fault. My blood boiled. I could feel my anger rise quickly. I had to take deep breaths and counted to ten, then thirty, then ninety before I could “choose” to respond in a kind, knowledgeable, factual way without verbally blasting him for his views.

    It’s been so very long since I had to die to myself so quickly in real time. The conversation got longer, but in the end he saw I was using restraint in my answers. It defused him from making the exchange longer. I told him I loved him, and that loved ones disagree sometimes. Still, after it was over, I read it all again and realized “I” moved over and the Spirit of Abba spoke for me. Yet, it took “choosing” on my part.

    What an experience it was.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Wow. Alan, I wonder how many of us could have done the same. Well, all of us COULD, I guess, but WOULD we? I pray that your friend sees the light and comes to the realization that we live in a fallen world, and some things are just indefensible. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. I once had a lady stop me in a grocery store and say “Thank you”. When I asked what for she said “you smiled at me. No one else in the store has smiled at me today.” That encounter was probably 10 years ago and I still remember it. I think since then I make more effort to smile when I make eye contact with people. I think if we let people know what we appreciate about them they we do more of that.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment