OPPORTUNITY LOST

Yesterday at Albertsons, one of our local grocery stores, I was in line to pay for my celery, cucumber, 3 beautiful tomatoes, and 2 cases of my favorite beverage, what I call Pretend Diet 7UP......Albertsons private labeled diet Lemon Lime.

I was in line.  The lady in front of me had a cart full of groceries.  A variety of this, and that.  The check out line that she and I were in was intended for those of us that had 15 items, or less.  She was well over the limit.  I took this time to practice my patience, and to just appreciate what we all have in our beautiful land.  Shelves of food, nice employees, a clean store.  We are very blessed to say the least.

This lady never looked at me (too embarrassed?).  Obviously, an apology never happened.  She seemed to not care.  It was about her.  Her little indiscretion was 'no big deal'.  It did not matter to her that most shoppers followed the 'rule'.....15 item line?  It's OK to maybe have 17 items, 20 at most.

Why is this a big deal?  Because this customer decided by herself, that she will do what is good for her, and not others.  That is sad.  She could have decided to do the right thing, and in doing so, she could feel good about herself, simply by doing the right thing.  It is a healthy way to live.  We need to put others first, and not ourselves.  If we do that, if we live by that, we can feel good about how we live, and how we can be thankful for what we have.

If this lady is fortunate enough to be a parent, a mother, I wonder how she teaches her children.  Does she teach her children that it is OK to cut corners in life?  Remember, it's no big deal.  Where does she draw the line.  Does she have a line?  Probably not.  Sad.

My rule is simply this.  I ask, 'what would Jesus do'?  Corny? Not really. It is my accountability.  It allows me to live a happy, purposeful life.

She missed an opportunity at real joy.  Oh well.