The Little Things

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - (1 Peter 5:7 KJV)

 

Happy Terrific Tuesday!!!

 

Ah, the little things. Yes, I named this post correctly because the little things can be overlooked or they can be blown out of proportion. You're probably wondering why I'm discussing this. And you can believe there's a reason behind this post. Last week, I encountered a situation at the grocery store while shopping for daily items I need to survive for the week. I was extremely exhausted and I was having a bad day, a really bad day.

 

I know everyone can relate to this: who doesn't have a bad day?

 

After contemplating over my issues, I decided to put them behind me once I headed out my apartment and I went about my business to run errands. I walked to the grocery store, picking up a couple of items, so I can hurry up and return to my home because I wanted to rest.  I was listening to spiritual music to lift up my soul and it was helping me to think positive in spite of how I was feeling that particular day.

 

I strolled to register 11 and I stopped to wait in line. At first, I thought I was hallucinating when the cashier was explaining to the older man about having too many items. The line was 12 items or less. The man's walk wasn't usual; he had a problem with his legs. He pushed the large cart where a few customers and I were still standing in. I felt sorry for him. She didn't have to make him leave. So, I tried my best to brush it off and continued listening to my favorite songs. By the time it was my turn, the Lord allowed me to discern the cashier's spirit. On the surface, it seemed like she was having a bad day, but after analyzing the situation, I saw that she has a bad attitude.

 

There were three women behind me, an older woman who was in front of me, and another older woman who was facing me while she was packing her objects in the shopping bags. The cashier asked me curtly, "How many items do you have?"

 

And right there, I didn't appreciate her condescending tone. The woman before me watched me, and she wanted to see if I was going to make a scene. I didn't. I remained quiet because I wanted to go home. I humored the cashier with counting the items, but it happened so fast, I didn't really sum up the total until after I left the store, the line was getting longer and I didn't want the customers to grow impatient.

 

I sensed I was slightly over the limit in items. I looked underneath the cashier's station to find a basket, but none were available, one of the workers had already picked up the baskets. The third woman, in line, saw that I was looking for a basket and she walked over to the next lane to pick one up. By the time I tried to grab it—it was too late. The cashier was already ringing up my things while shaking her head. That's when I felt my anger rising and I knew the Lord was helping me to stay calm despite of being tempted to say something. I'm learning to never act like a fool with a fool. I'm sorry if I’m sounding blunt, but if you can relate to this, you know exactly what I mean.

 

And here's when my anger rose to another level, her response was asinine and condescending, "Next time have twelve items or less." I ignored her comment and handed her my money. After she gave me my change, she had the audacity to not place my food in the shopping bags! Nonetheless, I quickly watched her placing the next customer's three items in the bag.

 

So, I walked down to the end of the booth where the other shopping bags were located and I bagged them myself. The older woman, about my mother's age, who was standing beside me, marched over to see what the cashier was doing. She made a face and shook her head, and she started laughing when I caught her response because I was also laughing. We recognized what was wrong with the scenario, and I'm pretty sure the other women noticed it, too.

 

The cashier finally picked up what we were laughing about, and now all-of-a-sudden she wants to help me. She angrily questioned me. "You got it?"

 

I was so furious I couldn't respond. I took the items from her hand because I was already finished with packing my things. I shook my head and walked away. I caught up with the woman and we started talking. I immediately asked her, "Did you see that?"

 

She was laughing in disbelief, shaking her again. "Yes, I did. I can't believe she was making a big deal about your items. It's not like you had a lot of things. It's just stuff."

 

Bingo. It's just stuff. They don't live and breathe like we do. We are the ones who matter, and don't me wrong, it's nice to have things , but material things really don't matter. It can't save you from death, illnesses, untimely accidents, or losing your job or home.

 

After the woman and I laughed, we said our goodbyes and tended to our own affairs. While I was walking home, I was hurt emotionally because I didn’t like the cashier's approach in the situation, and I definitely didn’t appreciate how she was trying to make an example out of me, about going over the recommended number for the express lane.

 

It's not a good feeling when people try to make you look bad, and they believe with all their might they’re in the right because of “technicality,” when their attitudes display how they handled the situation poorly. It's important to remember that how we set up the atmosphere with our presence does affect those around us.

 

And in that moment, before I left the store, I wanted to turn around with the bags in my hand to report her. But the Lord stopped me and He wanted me to have a time-out and recollect my thoughts before going to the manager about the cashier.

 

When I arrived at my apartment, I landed the bags on the counter and I recounted the items. Boy, you would have been laughing if you saw the look on my face. I couldn't believe the nerve of that woman. Can you believe I was only five items over??? Oh, the little things.

 

I prayed to the Lord to help calm me down because I could literally feel I was going to burst into tears. (I was really having a bad day!)

 

I returned to the store and asked for the manager. Once the manager approached me, I explained the situation to him, and I stated that even the other customers noticed the cashier was wrong for what she did to me. And he agreed with me how some people allow the smallest things tip them over-the-edge.

 

And that's when I told him how I had an atrocious year. He gave his deepest apologies and I told him I wouldn't wish it on anyone, for what happened to me. He explained to me that he would pull her to the side and talk to her about what happened.

 

After I had left the store, I felt better for releasing my feelings about what occurred earlier that day. At this point, I don't know if the manager talked to the cashier or not. But what I do know is, that whenever our days start spinning out-of-control, our perspectives get bent out-of-shape because everything is not going our way.

 

It's the little things that make us lose perspective on what's really important. How we adjust our attitudes on small situations can determine how we handle the big predicaments that head our way.

 

Here's what putting things in perspective is like:

 

Does losing a dollar seem detrimental as losing your life in a freak-accident?

 

When red wine is staining your white carpet, does it seem detrimental as finding out you only have six months to live because of cancer?

 

Does having issues with a co-worker seem detrimental as discovering your loved one won't recover from an illness that isn't curable because it isn't seen?

 

Does going over five items at the 12-item express lane seem detrimental as not finding a job in this tough economy?

 

If you answered "no" to all these questions, you're correct. And you want to know why? There are other things in life that are far more upsetting than material things. Going over the limit at the express lane isn't as serious as worrying about your next meal. Not having the latest fashion is not as serious as having a deadly disease. Acting ballistic about things beyond your control isn't as serious as being paralyzed for the rest-of-your-life.

 

Oh, the little things we get upset about doesn't compare to what others are facing.

 

And now, I'm going to flip-the-other-side-of-the-coin.

 

But what I love most about praying to God is, that He doesn't grumble or hate to see me coming whenever I talk to Him about what's going on in my life. He doesn't ignore me or treat me like I'm not important or my feelings don’t count, the way people do.

 

I love how He sees and knows everything that goes in our lives, because He knows our stories and He knows how to solve our problems which appears unsolvable.

 

You see, beloved, God is concerned with the intent of our hearts. He's concerned about how we perceive things and how we respond. He's concerned about how we interact with others whether it’s good or bad. He's concerned about how others respond to us, too.

 

He doesn't mind when we're coming to Him in need of things, just to help us get by in life. He doesn't mind when we're baring our souls before Him, so He can fix whatever is broken in our lives. He doesn't mind wiping our tears when others offend us, or when we offend them. He doesn't mind coming to our rescue and being our Hero.

 

When someone is being rude to you, for no reason, cast your cares on Jesus.

 

When someone is trying to sabotage the God-given plans in your heart and you want to see them coming into fruition, cast your cares on Jesus.

 

When bills aren't being paid on-time, cast your cares on Jesus.

 

When you don't have food to eat, cast your cares on Jesus.

 

Whenever you're having a bad day, cast your cares on Jesus.

 

When your funds are short for the week, cast your cares on Jesus.

 

You want to know why I'm saying this, dear heart? It's because Jesus is Our Mediator between God and us. He was in the flesh, just like we are right now, and He understands and knows all about our afflictions and the situations we face. There's nobody like Jesus. Nobody can love you like Jesus can. Nobody can take care of you like Jesus can. Nobody can protect you from all hurt, harm, and danger, seen and unseen, like Jesus can. Nobody can fight your battles like Jesus can.

 

And when God steps in and save us from our troubles, my God, He does it well! He is so awesome and as my sister said to me on Sunday, "God is swag-nificent!" Yes, He is. He is altogether lovely. He is our Healer, Deliverer, and Our Best Friend. He's Sovereign. He reigns forever. Everything else will fall apart, but God's Word stands forever and He lives forever!

 

Let's Pray: Father, I come before You with my broken heart and I'm casting all my cares on You because Your Word says You care for me. Bless me to overcome daily battles of dealing with various behaviors wherever I am. Bless me to rely on you whenever I feel helpless. Lord, my bills are due and I need You to supply all my needs according to Your Riches in Glory through Jesus Christ. Bless me to smile in spite of the troubles I'm facing. Soothe my doubts and calm my fears, Lord, for I don't know what tomorrow brings. Fight my battles for me, even though it seems like I'm defeated. I need You to move by Your Spirit, Lord. Move every hindering obstacle out of my way. And assure me that everything will be all right, because You are on my side. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

If you believe in this prayer, you must know it's already done, and God will take care of you. Be encouraged and know that Jesus loves you and I do, too. There's nothing too hard for God and it doesn't matter if the situation is big or small. God has your back! Until next time, be blessed.