Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
On a recent excursion to return recalled veggies at Costco, I found myself irritated and annoyed. I have begun to think that there is definitely a “customer culture” associated with their membership. I have to admit, that almost every experience I have had with customers in the store and particularly the parking lot, has been unpleasant; and only once was a cashier snippy. I will continue to believe and hope for the best for each future shopping experience there, but not without sharing a handy dandy tip.
Kindness, Yes, it goes a long way.
Romans 12:17 “Recompense to no man evil for evil …”
Today’s irritation was brought on by patiently waiting, signal on, for a customer to pull out of their parking spot; then once they moved out, I began to move forward when suddenly another customer swung into the spot. Nope, they hadn’t waited at all, just pulled around a corner and zipped in. The other factor that added to my incredulous amazement is that this was only 11:11 am, and the parking lot was full – I’m talking, this is a huge lot! So, when you wait that long for a spot and someone comes and takes it, you get irritated. Am I alone in this? Hands up…
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Okay, no problem, I continue down the parking lot … to the farthest reaches! Customer pulls out and I back in and then head to the store. The line for returns is out the store doors with about 20+ people ahead of me. A grandmother and granddaughter are the customers ahead of me; we strike up a conversation, she’s returning the peas and I’m returning the corn. Suddenly, her granddaughter announces she needs to use the washroom, Grandma’s asking if she really has to go now, the line is long and they’d have to start over. I say, “You go, I’ll hold your spot.” And I did. She made it there and back with time to spare. It was no trouble for me, didn’t hold up the line for others, but allowed her to do what she needed to do with her granddaughter.
Kindness; whether anyone else sees it, or not.
Now I’m done my shopping and head to my car, this is where annoyance sets in. “Really? It was too hard to return your shopping cart; you just park it directly in front of my car and pull out of the next stall? Yeah, I guess I can return your cart too,” I begrudgingly mumble inside my head, “What is wrong with people?” Yes, my flesh would like to shake the first and react, but Romans 12:18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Spirit check!
So, I load my car and the gentleman awaiting the next spot, parks his car, gets out, comes over and says, “I’ll take this cart, and I’ll take yours too.” Oh my! KINDNESS. “Yes, please, thank you so much.”
Kindness. It goes a long way.
What’s the moral of the story? It’s the law of reaping and sowing. Sow kindness in someone’s day. Why? Because you are going to reap what you sow. Even when the general public doesn’t see it, God does. Whatever you do, do “kindness” as unto the Lord.
Yes, sow kindness, it’ll bless someone else and make your day sweeter. True story. Marcella Williams
