Friendship and the store clerk

Yep, you guessed it... I'm on a roll. It's all about friendship this week. That's not really how I planned it. God just keeps talking to me -- not so much talking, more like convicting -- about being a quality friend. I hope it's okay that I share :)

I went to the local superstore last week to get some canning essentials. (Side note: I can't believe I am actually canning. HA! It's just freezer jam. But still...) Now, back to the superstore...

The lady checking me out was nice enough, but she looked a bit worn down. You know, hair kinda messed up. Her glasses slipped forward on her nose. She was a bit slouchy. She commented on the large number of jars I purchased and asked me what was in season for canning this early. I told her all about my freezer jam, perhaps with a bit too much perkiness. She responded, "I don't have that kind of energy after being at work all day. You enjoy your jam, hun'."

The conversation has stuck with me. That lady stands at that register for six hours or more every day. Sure, she gets her mandatory break, but then she's right back at it. I stood on my feet for about three hours when I canned those strawberries and it wore me out! I can't imagine standing there for hours. Every day.

The image of that lady has stuck with me. I wonder how would Jesus treat a store clerk?

I'm sure Jesus wouldn't stand in that line complaining about how slow the clerk was or wondering why He always picks the slowest line. He'd probably use that time to pray for the clerk, asking God to bless her with energy to finish the workday or something. He might even pray for the person in front of him who tries to pay with pennies and nickels. Maybe He might even offer to pay for their items. Don't you think?

I am absolutely certain that Jesus would greet that clerk with a warm smile. You know, one of those smiles that tells the recipient they are special, no words required. He would never glower at the clerk. He'd never slam his items down on the counter (whoa... I don't do that, but I have seen it done. Never with eggs though). Nope. Jesus would want that clerk to know that she is not invisible. He'd treat her like she is special. Which, of course, is true.

Even when items scan with the wrong price, Jesus would never "take it out on the clerk." Of course not. He'd understand that the clerk's job is to ring up the items, not to scan the prices into the computer system. He'd be sympathetic. And patient.

I'm certain He'd offer some kind word as He walked out of the store. He wouldn't just grab his stuff and go, hurrying to check off the next item on his to do list. Rather, He would capitalize on this last opportunity to extend kindness to the clerk.

Somehow, I think if Jesus shopped at the same store week after week like I do, He would take the time to learn the clerk's names. All of them.

Of course, I'm not Jesus. I'll never learn all the clerk's names. I'll cram too much into my day. I'll shop with a headache or a sick kid at home. And I'll blow it from time to time.

But I hope I'll learn to slow down a little and look that clerk in the eye. I can always pray -- especially since the alternative is usually resisting the urge to buy candy bars or read trashy titles on magazines dissing celebrities. Yes, I can pray. And I will learn to say thank you consistently, even if everything goes wrong. After all, clerks are precious people too!