"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas..." NOT!

So my beloved roomie, Donna, and I had an interesting and poignant reminder this evening:


After work this afternoon, I was privileged enough to be able to meet our own Jose Rodriguez's little sister, Beatriz, at the mall; after which, all three of us decided to take advantage of our surroundings, and indulge in a little "Christmas browsing" (no purchase necessary...YET!). It wasn't long until Donna-Wonna was released from her duties as well, and came to join up with all of us. Well, after the siblings Rodriguez bid their "good evenings" for the night, Don and I rushed back to one of the retail stores to purchase some early Christmas presents.

So this is where the story gets memorable: Donna and I are heading to the Customer Service desk to claim our prizes, when - upon approaching the desk - we noticed that one of the clerks was crying (she was attempting to compose herself, but it was OBVIOUS that something happened). As we make our puzzled way to the line, we notice a couple standing in front of us making a RAUCUS with all three clerks behind the desk b/c they felt they had been "affronted" when they were not assisted as promptly as expected. Things began to escalate when one of the other clerks began to "loose their cool" due to the matter, which resulted in a manager arriving to inquire after the problem.

Well, the couple went on and on and on and on about how much money they spent in the store, how they had been so rudely "ignored," "all they wanted to do was make a purchase," yadda-yadda-yadda-yadda... This unfortunate scenario continued for at least ten minutes, with all people within a twenty foot radius of the desk staring at the all-too-common "Holiday scene."

Why am I retelling this story, you ask? Because I felt really convicted while I stood there observing this sad scene. How often do I allow uncourteous comments and insensitive/flippant statements fly out of my mouth at the passing of some self-centered feeling? WAY too often... It's almost as if at certain choice moments, I revert back to my infant temper-tantrum stage, and ignore the fact that I just turned 26 this month. The Lord tapped me on the head tonight, saying: "I'm using this to teach you something very important, Jen."

Fellow brethren, as believers, our Master has called us to be separate from this world, and this includes everything from attitudes to appearance. Let us be exhorted and challenged by His commands, especially during this season of the year (as the unfortunate norm is to be a little edgy, impatient, and exasperated with each other), to make a conscious effort to ENCOURAGE, NOT ONLY EACH OTHER, BUT ALL HOLIDAY WORKING STAFF!!!

Colossians 4:6 - "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

When you are buying your items, MAKE EYE CONTACT, and genuinely say "thank you" or what have you with the GOSPEL soaked in every word and expression! Look for opportunities to DEMONSTRATE PATIENCE AND COMPASSION with the workers, and the fellow shoppers who are entitled to just as much service as you! I know this may seem trivial...but the REALITY is these times are quintessential chances to permit God's sanctification in our lives, AND to be Christ's hands and feet in this community. If we refuse to incorporate this daily concept and practice into our lives NOW, why bother wasting our time sitting in class talking about how we're going to do it on a grander scale when we graduate?

Soapbox smashed. The end.