A Day at the Store
You may get sick of me talking about working at the bookstore, but I am just really influenced by people there that I have to tell you how the customers encourage me. I’m sure wherever you work or whoever you are around, you can find ways that they influence you, whether positive or negative. Since working here, I’ve learned to try to always look through their “lenses” as much as I can because you never know what “baggage” they are carrying with them as they walk through those doors. Here are a few observations, uplifting moments, and just some interesting things that have happened.
This morning a couple came in because the wife wanted a new Bible. This was no ordinary couple. They had been married 61 years. No, that is not a typo. In a good way, it seems like 4 1/2 years seems like a lifetime :). They were precious. They were the type of couple that if you saw them walking down the street, you would sawy “aw, they are so cute!” They were joking around with each other and there was so much love. Love for each other AND love for God. She was telling me why she needed a new Bible. She carries one with her in her purse because she never knows when she needs an encouraging word – she first looks to the Bible! Her’s was all taped up and falling apart. Awesome! When I was ringing their items at the end, she said she keeps a Bible under her pillow too because once again, she never knows when she’ll need it. And what does the husband say? “Oh, and she puts her pillow on top of my head to make me be quiet.” They both laughed at each other and the woman says, “marriage is not easy. It is not easy at all, but I don’t say that in a negative way. We have been through some hard times. But we have made it and we still love each other.” Once again, they have been married 61 years. I told them how much of an encouragment they are and it is beautiful to see. They are a couple who left a lasting impact on me today – only because they were real and were themselves and no one else.
Random person came in and saw our “shoplifting detectors” (can’t think of what they’re called – brain fart!). He stopped dead in his tracks and said “really? you need these? People steal Bibles?” Yup! They really do! Interesting huh? You only hope that person reads it and it’s for their benefit!
Finally, one other person that made an impact on me – in an interesting way. A woman talked about someone who had come to a church to speak about how they had changed. Well, one of their youth group kids checked the person out online and realized that their videos were horrible and had raunchy content in them. This person couldn’t BELIEVE that they would give a testimony and still live this lifestyle that is portrayed on the internet. I stopped her and asked what made her think this person hadn’t changed who was speaking? Mind you, she wasn’t there. She said well, look at the videos on the internet? Okay, but is that who that person was in the past? They could spend 24/7 trying to take everything off the internet that pertained to their “past” lifestyle. It made me ponder why she was so quick to judge him? Yeah, I suppose if you did a random search on this person, it would be interesting to see what lifestyle he lived – but look at the current info. Don’t judge someone on their past – ESPECIALLY when you don’t know their story.
Like I said earlier, everyone has baggage and has a story. Are we willing to listen? It makes me think about my own life. Should I be as honest as I am on this blog? I sometimes wonder if I share too much. But then I think, ya know what? God has given me this life for a reason and I don’t want to just talk about the happy days. All aspects of Christ’s life were in “full view” in the Bible – the rough and tough days. The days when he overthrew the tax collector’s tables. The days he wept. Even down to the day he asked God “why have you forsaken me?” Christ is the perfect example of being real. As much as I want this blog to be encouraging for people, I also know encouragment can come through recognizing that others struggle too. I know at least I find comfort in that. Not that I wish struggles on anyone, but I know God has surrounded us with a body of believers for a reason.
A day at the store. Today I was reminded to be myself. Be real. Be who GOD MADE ME TO BE. Don’t try to be someone else. Walk life with open ears, eyes, and heart. Don’t be quick to judge. I truly feel blessed to work in an environment that I am encouraged in my faith daily!
