Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Psalm 141:3
On a day that I was feeling slighted and put off by loved ones, I decided to go shopping. You see, I had tried many different forms of communication to get through to them. Yet, every facet that I used was ignored—phone calls, emails and text messages. I was feeling completely discouraged. So, I decided that shopping would ease my mind. There must be a lot of discouraged people out there, because I think everyone in town decided to go there as well.
The lines were long waiting for check out with only 3 cash registers open. I stood about 5th in line when one of the guest attendants of the store came out with another cashier to open a 4th line. The attendant specifically requested that the next in line customers move over to the newly opened register. One obnoxious lady behind me darted out of line to go there. The young lady in front of me quickly remarked, “I cannot believe you did that! The attendant was clear in her direction! I simply can’t believe it!” I could tell that this young woman was getting ready to ‘go off.’ I calmly got her attention and said, “You can’t believe it? In today’s society, why can’t you believe it?” She looked at me and her whole demeanor brightened as she said, “You are right! You are soooo right! How could I expect anything different? I am so impatient; even with my husband and kids. I need someone like you to keep me in line.” Then she continued with, “I pray for patience all the time. Thank you!” I assured her that it was my pleasure!
Moments later, the store attendant came over and motioned for me to move my shopping cart to the next cash register as a 5th line was opened. As I stood at my check out register and my new friend was at the register in the line that we were previously in together. Our eyes locked once more and as she gathered her things to go, she waved and mouthed yet another ‘thank you.’ I smiled and mouthed a ‘you’re welcome,’ back her way.
Now, it amazes me that God would choose to use someone like me, completely discouraged by the actions and reactions of others to encourage a young woman experiencing the same difficulty. The only difference was that my discouragement was from a source much more close and personal and yet God; Almighty Father, gave me the inner strength and the words to encourage someone else—even in my own discouragement. I am completely and utterly amazed by the power of God alive and well in our hearts and lives—if we will only choose to tap into it!
