November 3: Thankful for growth!

November 3: today I am thankful for growth. Im no heathen, but oftentimes it's hard for me to keep quiet when I feel as though I'm being mistreated. I will start by saying this...I am a firm believer that all should be treated with dignity and respect. I am so glad that my parents instilled this at an early age. I have yet to understand why we as humans treat others like dirt on the ground. I guess when I figure out the answer I'll be a millionaire. Yesterday I ran to a local store near my apartment. In a rush to finish packing for my trip, I decided to go and get a few last minute things.I quickly approached the check out line & politely placed my items on the conveyer belt. After the cashier announced my total, I pulled out my handy dandy MSU check card and proceeded to pay. For some odd reason, my card would not swipe. Now, don't joke me because it was NOT declined...the card simply wouldn't swipe. So after a few attempts, the cashier stated "Well, I guess the machine just doesn't like your card." I let out a nice little chuckle and asked,  "Well, can you type in the number?" She informed me that this was not possible. By this time I'm steaming hot because 1. You can't tell me she couldn't type in the number and 2.why couldn't she move to another lane and try that register? It's because she didn't want to. I was not worth her time. So, I had no choice but to leave my 5 items because I only had about $4 in cash. Don't ya know she held her hand out as if saying give my items back!...like I'm a thief!

After leaving the store I made my way to the ATM to check things out. Guess what? My card worked just fine. So, I headed to another local store to continue my shopping. Guess what? My card worked just fine! After thinking things over, I had my mind made up that I would go back to the first store and give that lady a piece of my mind. How dare you treat me like a peasant?! Would this change things? Of course not, but it certainly would make me feel better. A few minutes later I arrived at the store. Once I stepped foot inside I saw that the cashier had switched lanes and the card machine that worked just fine prior to my coming, was now down. Hmmm, what a coincidence. I was ready to bless this lady out! Instead, I walked around the store thinking about a respectful way to approach her. Deep down inside I knew I didn't have to say a thing, but a part of me wanted her to know that my feelings were hurt. So I proceeded to the checkout counter and she began to reach for my bag of unpaid items. I asked "Is your card machine down on that register?" She replied, "Yes, it is. I'm sorry do you want to check out?" Now. Is. The. Time. Let her have it Toy. Instead, I said "No, thank you. I bought items at another store where my money is valued & accepted." I could tell by the look on her face that she felt really bad. My intention was not to belittle her, but to allow her to see what she had done. She stereotyped me. She treated me less than because she felt as though I had nothing. I am not where I need to be, but I am thankful that the Lord is working through me. 

You see, growth doesn't mean always doing or saying the "right" things. Growth is taking steps forward and not backwards. Growth is when you realize that sometimes silence is the best answer. In my case, growth meant acknowledging the mistake or misfortune, and addressing it in a respectful manner. Growth my friends, is essential. You know the phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" we'll, Jesus probably would have let the situation go without addressing it. Perhaps I'll do that next time...He's not done with me yet :)