Sometimes we can see God in unlikely places, if we look.
We’re getting into the Christmas homestretch. This weekend is the last shopping weekend we have before the big day. It’s likely to be crazy on the roads and in stores, especially grocery stores. But, while we are all planning on making the perfect Christmas dinner, maybe we should try to keep a few things in mind to help keep our shopping experiences in perspective.
I actually had to go to Wal-Mart twice yesterday (lucky me, right?), and this really worked. I prayed before I went, that God would give me the grace to see the good in others while I was out and I actively searched for it. I had several Wal-Mart employees ask me if I needed help finding anything. When the aisles were so crowded, that I had to wait for someone to finish getting what they were looking for, before I could even walk by, I made an effort to smile at them. Most were very apologetic for the hold up and returned my smile.
I reminded myself of the unbelievable abundance that we are blessed with in this country. There was plenty of flour and sugar. There was no rationing. I can buy butter right off the shelf. I don’t have to churn my own. There was plenty of milk and eggs and bread. There was plenty. We sometimes forget in our abundance, what a blessing that is. I may have had to wait for a few minutes, but there was plenty.
When I saw a cart with a brightly colored pink bicycle with streamers on it, I tried to picture the excited face of the child who will be receiving it on Christmas morning. Do you remember your first bicycle? Do you remember the excitement you had when you saw it beside the tree? Then I saw a motorized “Hello Kitty” ride on and I had to grin thinking of the fun that child would have on Christmas morning.
I decided to go into the store knowing that it would be crowded, knowing that it would be a three-ring circus, but with the intent to look for God, just as I have tried to look for Him this entire season. I found Him in so many faces yesterday. There was even an older gentleman with snowy white hair who I ran into several times as I went up and down the aisles who picked at me with a twinkle in his eye, about all of the contents in my cart.
When I went to check out, a cashier approached me and told me she would open a line for me. That has never happened to me at Wal-Mart before. So here’s my challenge to you on this busy shopping weekend.
Say a prayer before you leave your house. Ask for patience and ask for the grace to see the good. Ask God to show you some wonder of the season and see what happens. You might be surprised. I was! Be sure to let me know if something fabulous happens.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂