You Never Know

I had to go to Wal-mart tonight for the second time this week (and its only Tuesday). I'm standing in an incredibly long line in the pharmacy and I can't help but watch people and listen to my surroundings. All around me there are people waiting like me, only they are on cell phones talking to someone to pass the time away. The lady in front of me was talking to her teenage child, asking him if he's made lunches for him and his sister for the morning. She described how to cut up onions and how much mayo to use to make tuna salad. She talked about how much more he's going to have to study this year and how things are going to be different from last year.

The lady behind me was telling her friend about how she had to take care of someone who was sick. She described what medicines she used and how late she was up til and what was on TV at 3 in the morning. She had a very country accent and drawled out her r's. The lady two people in front of me offered her cart for me to put my handful of stuff in so I didn't have to hold it while I wait and try to jiggle Will in the baby sling. I am just standing there, not meaning to be nosy, but when you are a foot away from others, its hard not to over hear!

Its fascinating to me to think of how many people we come into contact with and never really talk too. I have no doubt the lady talking to her son, is at home right now helping her children get ready for another day of school. The lady behind me, is hopefully having a better night now that she got prescription drugs to help her ailing one. I stood there and smiled, made small talk and then went home to my own family.

How many people do we pass in the grocery store? In the restaurant at lunch? Driving in the car on the way home? Or walking down the hallway? What kind of impression is left behind? Is it positive or negative? Did they catch you at a bad time as you're frustrated and yelling at your children? Or did you give a much needed smile to the poor overworked and underpaid cashier?
When you are a christian, you are being watched all the time. The world is watching and waiting to see how and when you're going to mess up. I always try to remember that it only takes one wrong word to throw your whole testimony out the window.

The Lord places us in situations for a reason. I remember the anticipation and excitement I used to feel on the first day of classes when I was in college. I knew without a doubt that there was a reason my class schedule worked out the way it did. It was no mistake that I happened to sit a few rows behind one who would become my dear friend and future sister-in-law. It wasn't a mistake that I had many classes with an older black woman who became my close friend and would later need to find comfort as she lost her granddaughter to a tragic accident. So many situations I could tell you of how God placed people in my path for a specific reason. I try to remember that and to not let Him down during the mundane times of my life. You never know who is watching and what seeds you could plant while you're standing in line at Wal-mart!

"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else."
~2 Corinthians 9:13