Have you been out shopping lately? Of course you have, it’s Christmas time! It’s crazy out there! Last weekend, I made the mistake of going to a mall on a Sunday afternoon. All I had to do was return something. I thought it would be a quick in and out. Wow, was I wrong!

First, we circled the parking lot, for what felt like forever. When I was about to give up and head home, someone pulled out in front of me. Of course I was on the far side of the mall, needing to walk, what felt like miles, to enter. The store we had a return in was on the other side of the mall, so we had to slowly squeeze our way through the crowds of people. I think Disneyland would have been less busy.

We finally made it into the store and immediately got in line. There were two lines leading to four cashiers. I watched as each customer made it to the cashier and the interaction they had with them. It seemed that no matter what the customer’s demands, they always had a smile on their face and bent over backwards to meet their demands. Yes, I do realize this is the way a cashier should be, but the attitude and expectations of some of the customers was a little much.

I’m thankful for the sales clerks who remain helpful and friendly, regardless of what crazy things I might need. I hope these sales clerks know they help make my holiday merry and bright. The kindness they show me fills me with the desire to help another.

Doesn’t it make you feel good when a cashier tells you to have a nice day? It always brings a smile to my face. Unfortunately, I don’t always respond to their kindness the way I should, which is “thanks, I hope you have a nice day too!” My mind gets stuck on the next errand or thing I need to do and I miss out on the opportunity to bring a smile to their face. How do you respond when a sales clerk says something nice to you? If they don’t tell you to have a nice day, do you tell them to?

My prayer for us today ~ Father God, thank you for the kindness you offer us through your Son, Jesus. I pray we would, under all circumstances, offer kindness to those we encounter throughout our days, Amen.