I was at Wal-mart today.
I was actually at two different Wal-Marts today.
I was at Wal-mart Monday.
I don't like Wal-Mart.
In fact, I despise the place so much that the three visits between yesterday and today got me a call from my bank wondering if my card was still in my possession. I KID YOU NOT.
However, something happened at Wal-Mart that I thought particularly "blog-worthy." My Dad was with me (long story as to why....you really could care less...) and he struck up a conversation with our cashier. By the time we left, my Dad had gotten the cashier to reveal; his marital status, his desire to one day be married, what his day had been like, they shook hands, and my Daddy parted with the most genuine "God bless you" you have ever heard.
And it got me thinking...
How come I am so proud of myself for getting off my cell phone when I check out somewhere, when I don't use that time to bless the people serving me?
So, are you a talker? Do you have the amazing gift my Daddy also possesses?
Are you a cell-phone-while-checking-out customer?
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Survey Says...
Posted by Ashlee Liddell at 8:22 PM
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5 comments:
great post ashlee!! i am MOST definitely a talker. i totally enjoy meeting new people and finding out about them if i can. just last night we went to quiznos (salad/sandwich place).... we were the only ones in there, as they were about 30 mins. from close. a young lady helped us, tammie, and her five year old daughter was there with her sitting at a table drawing. i didn't notice a ring on her finger, and assumed she was a single mom. she looked tired.
i looked over at her daughter and asked her what she was drawing, and she showed me. i walked over there and talked to her while michael was paying tammie. she was precious. i told her what an excellent artist she was.
as we were eating, tammie was wiping down tables, and i started asking her questions about her daughter, where she was going to school, etc. we talked about how good the salads were, which then led into exercise - she told me likes to kick box and she takes free classes at the community college. i asked her what she was going to school for, she said nursing. i told her what a great career choice that was.... that she could do that anywhere... was her desire to stay in tallahassee? she said, no... she wanted to start over somewhere new... which included meeting new people. she wanted to make a better life for her and her daughter.
i couldn't get over how tired she looked.
anyway, i told her again that nursing was great, as she could do that wherever she wanted, and as we got up to go, i wished her luck, and told her daughter good luck in kindergarten. she asked if i would come back by and look at her drawings sometime. i said, of course!!
as we got in the car, i wondered outloud with michael.... i wondered if any of the other people that walked into quiznos even considered talking to tammie, getting to know her, other than just ordering a black and bleu salad, sitting down, eating, and walking out.....
i am definitely not a cell phone user in the checkout line. in fact, i'm beginning to think just how much i loathe cell phones in general....
i like your dad... he sounds a lot like my dad as well. i got my talking/people skills from my daddy! :-)
Hey Ashlee, I used to be a talker, and I just realized yesterday that I want to be again. In the past few years I have begun to ignore strangers around me. I have gotten tired of my own impatience with people, when I stay frustrated with everyone around me in traffic or at the store just for being one of a crowd that is in my way. Granted, I keep my comments to myself, but it's not pleasent even thinking all of my frustrations. Yes, I've grown tired of being SO grumpy.
It was just yesterday as I looked at the people around me at lunch and on the drive home that I remembered I used to wonder about people's stories and sympathize with them. I would talk to more people. So, I thought, I should wonder, talk with people, and write more, like I used to. It's much more fun than being so frustrated.
darla, thank you. I think Tammie and her precious daughter met Jesus last night. I know you and Michael blessed them tremendously. That is exactly what I am wrestling with...when did it become okay for me to just get off my cell phone, and look the other person in the eye when I say "thank you." I don't want to be that kind of person. I want the belief I have, that everyone is valuable, to be evident throughout all areas of my life.
Lisa, isn't it amazing how God opens our eyes to such similar things at the same time? I LOVE that about community......here's to wondering, talking, and sharing more with the people God places in our paths....
Wonderful post! As my family has gone through so much in the past few years, I am amazed at the few people who actually take the time to stop and care. Most are too busy, and others quickly tire with our "problems"... but ah, yes, the handful who have walked through it all with us and taken the time to just ask and care... those are really special...
God bless you...
Jeff
Jeff,
Thank you for visiting, and leaving a comment! Your encouragement is a blessing.
I pray that God will continue to grow my heart to becoming "one of those people" who can truly take the time to care no matter where I am or how much time I have.....
Thanks again..
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