Observing is something I do too much of I guess some would say, but every small thing usually turns in to a story. And so this story begins.

I bought a small plastic scraper to clean glass lenses. Cost me seven bucks. I opened the package and observed some very rough places on the scraper that would have done more harm than good. I returned it to Wal-Mart and while in the customer service line I observed a lot of people with a lot of big problems. There were bike tubes that were the wrong size, money grams in the wrong amount, a coin bank not taking a coin that was the wrong size (actually not a coin), and a lady with a wrong attitude.

 

The poor girl behind the counter, all alone, facing a crowd of angry complainers, armed with nothing but a scanner, kept smiling through the battle. I was behind the man with the bike tubes so, I heard the whole conversation. After THOROUGHLY explaining his situation with the bike tubes that were the wrong size he asked, “Can you tell me if you have a tube to fit a size 12345 Model 678910 (not the real number my memory isn’t that good) in stock, or could you order me one?”

 

The poor girl after looking dumbfounded for a brief nanosecond, said, “Sir, I never leave this area, (wildly swinging her arms) THIS is all I see every day. I never go OUT THERE (gesturing again with her arms). I run out of here when I get off. There would be a sales associate BACK THERE to help you I am sure.”

 

I suddenly felt a kinship with the clerk. I could fully relate to dealing with people complaining ALL day long every day. Earlier, I myself had practically run to my car as I left the switchboard where I work. I too never see past my small area. I too direct people to get someone else to assist them with their problems. I am armed with nothing, but a telephone receiver as I face the angry crowds day in and day out.

 

I approached the counter. It was my turn! I smiled hoping to make her day a little better. I began to explain, very nicely, the problem with the scraper, but she simply scanned the package, the cash drawer popped open, she said, “Sign by the x.” She proceeded to count out my $7.63. I said, “Thank you,” and walked away. I don’t think she heard a word I said, probably only a steady hum.

 

I thought, “Do I do this same thing at the job I too want to run from some days? Do I have a wrong attitude at times?” Truthfully, yes, I do.

How many of us have jobs that we run from? I once had a job I loved so much. I was very thankful. I knew what I had when I had it. Each day as I set the door alarm when I left, I always said, “Thank you God that I got to come here one more day.” I actually grieved for the job for a lengthy period of time when I chose to walk away from it after much prayer.

 

God has a plan for all of us. Sometimes we can’t see past our “area.” Sometimes we can’t see what God is doing in the place where we are. All we hear is complaining, which is sometimes only a steady hum which we don’t bother to decipher. We run as fast as we can when we are given the opportunity to escape from listening to others problems.

 

What if the plan is for us to learn to listen? What if the plan is for us to learn to be more compassionate? I have signs posted all around my area. “Treat others as you want to be treated.” “Smile-today is but one day in all of eternity.” “Today is a GOOD day!” “Be NICE!” “Don’t worry be happy.” And of course, scriptures: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.” “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Those are not all, but most of what I am surrounded with. Are all these signs getting through to me?

 

In life things can get to be more than we can handle quickly, that is if we try to handle it all alone. God is always on the job at my job and yours too. Call on Him for back up and He will see you through your day. If you take the time to notice what’s going on around you, why not take the time to try to make things a little better. Oh, and observe those signs. They help a lot when you truly decipher their meaning.