You Just Never Know

Oh my goodness, I don't know what happened, but it seems like I blinked and 2 weeks came and went.  I actually had the subject for this entry in my head a week ago but lost track of time.  So anyway, A.D.H.D. aside, here we go.

A few weeks ago my wife and I were shopping at our local Farm and Fleet store.  We brought our items (including a bag of Maple Bacon Kettle Chips) to the register.  I got the feeling that the cashier was rather lethargic and it annoyed me a bit.  But I didn't say anything.  As he handed me my receipt I couldn't help but notice how he was doing everything with his left hand and moving rather slowly.  I thought about the work ethic my dad instilled in me that said to never lean or appear lazy on the job and I began getting frustrated.  But my dad also taught me to be polite, so I didn't say anything.  And as he handed the bag to me with that same hand I suddenly noticed something... He was missing his right hand.  Oh my goodness did I feel like a jerk!  Granted I hadn't said anything or treated him poorly, but I had been thinking about it.

A day or so later my sister, Rosa (not her given name but that's what I call her) posted something on Facebook.  It said something about how we don't know the situation of others.  It went on to say that the person with whom we are getting angry might have just lost a loved one or may not be able to afford to eat today.  I immediately thought back to the guy at Farm and Fleet.  What an excellent illustration of the Facebook post.  The cashier's situation was fairly clear.  But not everyone's story is quite so evident.

In the time since, I have been trying to remember this: We don't know what is going on in the lives of others, so I need to cut them some slack.  I've gone through some tough times myself.  Thankfully I have family and friends that have given me the needed grace and love.

Once I understood the reason for what I had perceived as laziness, I made eye contact, smiled and said "Thank you."  This should be my response no matter what.  I'm not to judge who is "worthy" of grace and love.  I'm to disperse them unconditionally.  Maybe if I do that, people will get a better understanding of the love of God.  Who knows, can't hurt!

In the words of Wayne Campbell in Wayne's World, "Be excellent to each other."

Thoughts?  Have you had similar occurrences?  I'd love to read about them.
God bless y'all!