I'm a God Fan!

When I was at Walmart last week, ready to check out, I was perusing the check-out lanes.  Like everyone, I wanted to go through the quickest line.  As I looked around, though, I saw a line that was moving rather slowly.  The checker wasn't smiling and she wasn't moving quickly.  I don't know why but I thought maybe I should take that aisle.  Although I often just bumble along through my days, sometimes I fancy that I'm being directed by God or the Holy Spirit to do something in particular.  I don't really know but this felt like one of those times.  I figured it was my challenge at that moment to maybe try to cheer her up.  I thought maybe she was new or frustrated or both.

Just as I approached for my turn to check out, they had a changing of the guards.  The checker who was my target for cheering was going off and another checker was coming on.  The new checker was smiley and jovial.  Hmmmm... maybe I'd misunderstood my mission of the moment.

As the smiley checker was efficiently scanning my items I noticed she was wearing a really pretty cross necklace, similiar to this one of mine.

  I said, "I like your necklace."  She responded, "Thanks.  Are you a Steelers fan?"  Confused, I responded, "No.  I'm a God fan."  She laughed, realizing her error, just as I noticed she was wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers lanyard with her name tag attached.  She then went on to tell me she was a God fan, loved God so much, didn't know what she'd do without him, etc.

THEN, the smile left her face and she spoke of her son.  He was in some kind of trouble.  He was denying the existence of God, he'd committed a crime, and his future was a mess.  She told me he was being evaluated for mental health issues but then was likely going on to prison.  I did not ask her about his crime but I did ask her his first name.  She told me his name is Nick.  I told her I'd pray for him.  The look of astonishment on her face was amazing.  She thanked me over and over for volunteering to pray for him.  It was such a small thing, my honor, really, but it meant so much to her.

I don't know if that chance encounter between me and the checker was really directed and planned by God or the Holy Spirit.  I maybe just get these high falutin' ideas on my own.  I don't really think so, though.  I left that moment feeling better and I think she did as well.  I think two women, for those few moments, needed to connect.  I needed to feel I was making a difference and she needed to know someone cared about her son.

So, if you are the praying kind, I invite you to pray for her son, Nick, as well.  I don't know his story and can't tell you how to direct your prayers, but I am certain God will know of whom you are speaking.  He's hurting and he needs to feel God's presence in his life.  

How a Walmart Clerk's Smile Changes the World

I was at Walmart recently.  I was rather lost in my own thoughts, shopping as fast as I could as my goal was to be anywhere but there.  I don't generally enjoy shopping; it is just another chore that needs to be accomplished.  Checking out at Walmart is not usually a joyful experience either.  This trip was to be different.

As the person in front of me was checking out I noticed that she really had her hands full.  She had several little people attached to her and she was trying to manage a lot of groceries.  The clerk was being so sweet and actually SMILED at this tired mother.

Wow!  That smile just seemed to ease the tension out of that young mom.  You should have seen the change in her! She smiled back, they chatted a little and then the mother and children left.  I imagined that the mother spoke a bit more kindly to her precious children.  The children would then be more kind to each other.  When they got home, I bet their dog even received a bit of the run-off happy feeling!

As I moved up to swipe my debit card, the clerk gave me a big smile as well.  Even though I'd seen her be so encouraging to the previous customer, I still felt as though I'd just received a special sweet gift by her smile and pleasant greeting.   I noticed I pretty much instantly felt lighter, happier.

As I left, I found myself wondering how many people passed through that clerk's aisle during the course of her shift.  Did she manage to stay upbeat and pleasant with all of them?  I'm wondering now if each of those  customers left feeling more kindly toward others?  Did that mean they were more likely to place their carts into the cart rack, rather than leaving them behind the car parked next to their's?  When they drove away, was there a reduction in road rage?  Were they more likely to smile and nod as they patiently waited for a pedestrian?  Did that pedestrian then help a lost dog find its owner?  Did the dog owner, happy to meet a kind neighbor, decide to bake cookies for her child's teacher?  Did the teacher, happy to feel appreciated, encourage each child with a little more enthusiasm?  Did those children, feeling their self-worth, realize their potential and feel more interested and eager to learn?  Perhaps some of those children will use what they learn to build on, eventually leading them to make great discoveries.

I'm sure you can clearly see where I am going with this.  That young clerk's happy smile more than likely will lead to more happy smiles that will likely lead to cancer cures, a drop in national levels of depression, scientific breakthroughs in sustainable forms of energy, poverty resistance, cleaner water, better care of animals, drop in crime, less bankruptcy, a balanced national budget, fresher air, improved international relations and so on and so on.

Don't you agree?  So go ahead, smile at a stranger!

My First Thanksgiving

 This is too funny to me!

Yesterday I was at Walmart.  I am cheap, I mean frugal, so I always look through the sale racks.  In fact, the word CLEARANCE  is like a magnet to me.  On this particular trip I was just picking up a few grocery items but got sidetracked looking through children's sale clothing.  I found a cute little dress for Cordelia for $1!  Of course, she has to wait until she is 4 years old before it will fit her.

No, none of that was funny.  What had me laughing was this onesie, size 24 months...

Get it...size 24 months?  Think about it.

What's Up With the Walmart Bathroom?

I don't really want to go into all my qualifications right now,

but trust me when I tell you that I am an expert on bathrooms.

I have done my research on many public bathrooms.

This photo was snapped in one of our local Walmart bathrooms.

I hope that wasn't wrong.

I had not planned to take a photo;

it was a spontaneous decision.

I had just exited one of the stalls.

Mike is probably reading this and worrying what I might say next.

He says I am sometimes too "earthy".

Anyway, no one else was in the bathroom.

I went up to one of the faucet areas and waved my hands...

nothing.

I wriggled my fingers around in front of that little automatic window 

that is supposed to notice me and provide cleansing water.

Still nothing.

Eventually, after doing a lot of sign language type movements,

I got water.

This happens all the time!

It's frustrating and

it's annoying to have to work so hard

 to get that little spray of water!

 

So, I washed my hands, using a thorough scrub technique.

I sudsed up really well.

I even took time to rinse under my finger nails.

That's not really the point of this story

but I thought you'd like to know.

When I was satisfied with my wash and rinse I

turned and headed to the paper towel dispenser.

Guess what happened?

As I passed by in front of all

of these little wash areas, on my

way to the paper towels,

the water came on in each!

It was as though they were

laughing at me!

After quickly drying my hands I

simply couldn't resist pulling my camera out

of my purse and snapping this photo.

Just as I turned and rounded the corner

I literally ran into another lady.

Thankfully I don't believe she saw me taking

a photo of the Walmart bathroom!

I am a Hypocrite!

So, did you read yesterday's blog? 

Well, I'm a big fat hypocrite. 

Yesterday I took Maria and Cordy to the mall, a tradition we seem to do about once a week.  Our husbands met us at the food court at noon for lunch.  After lunch we all went to pet puppies at the pet store, then the guys left.  Maria and I often go drive around after our mall lunch, visiting until Cordy falls asleep.  We then get fancy coffee for a little treat...great tradition! 

Yesterday, Cordy was really worn out and as we left the mall, it was obvious she was getting very tired.  This picture isn't from yesterday but it gives you the idea...

Well, I needed to run into Walmart for an item so Maria took Cordy out of her car seat and we headed in.  Just as we were making our way through the parking lot with the sleepy little girl, I remembered that I'd just blogged about my irritation with people taking their little kids shopping when they needed to be napping!  I busted myself!

Luckily, Cordelia rarely throws a fit.  She just sagged into her Momma and blinked long slow blinks.  I promise you, we did NOT talk mean to her!  Once we were back in the car, though, we'd gone maybe 2 blocks before she was out!  Poor little girl with the thoughtless Grandma!

Even though I felt guilty, I still enjoyed my cup of flavored coffee.  I went with butterscotch yesterday.  Yum!