My husband doesn't not like to go shopping with me. Let me rephrase that—he likes going shopping with me, he just doesn't like getting dirty looks when the cashier starts telling me their life story, and that slows down the line. It happened again today, except my husband was not with me and I dutifully ignored the dirty looks.
I was shopping and in line to check out. The woman checking out ahead of me, was angry and caustic with the cashier. The cashier was very sweet and kind, but she looked defeated.
When it was my turn to check out, I looked at the cashier –making direct eye contact–and I asked her, "How are you doing today?" She told me. She said she had been having a very difficult two weeks. She fell, and had to go to the emergency room and have an MRI and x-rays. They revealed broken ribs. I told her how sorry I was to hear that, and that I thought she was very brave and courageous to come to work.. She said she had to work to pay her bills.
I told her that my sister sent me a picture that said, "Someday you'll see how hard it was, and how brave you were." The lady behind us said, "That's really good. My husband has congestive heart failure, and it is really hard."
Then the cashier told us that she has a heart condition also and the tests also revealed cancer. This is her 2nd bout of cancer. She said she knew God had been with her the first time she went through cancer, but she was really scared this time.
I touched her arm, looked her in the eyes, said her name and then said, "I will be praying for you."
That's all. I didn't try to 'fix' the situation for her. I just listened. I showed compassion. And I did the best thing I could have done. I prayed for her. I went to the Father, who loves her more than anyone–and I asked Him to help her, to be with her—so that she knew He was there with her, and to see her through this situation.
That's all. Why am I telling you about this? Because anyone can do what I did. As Christ followers–we carry the very presence of God with us. When we show compassion—they are seeing God's compassion. When we listen—they experience God listening. God uses us to comfort and strengthen others on their path.
It doesn't have to be long. It doesn't have to be complicated. It might get me a few dirty looks from others having to wait a few extra moments, but I'm willing to endure them, if it means someone else gets treated like they matter for those moments.
For those of you reading this who are also enduring difficult times I want to repeat to you–"Someday you'll see how hard it all was, and how brave you were."
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
May We Be Encouraged!!
Quote by : Charlie Mackesy
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