Sharing God's Grace at Kroger

My experiment this Lenten season has been quite fascinating. I have realized my spirits are lighter and I am less grouchy since I committed to stop complaining. I know part of my new attitude has to do with the season, but I even surprised myself this afternoon at Kroger.

I was understandably tired after a long day at work and honestly my feet hurt from the heels I was wearing. But I needed to do my weekly grocery shopping. I strolled through the store and noticed many fellow shoppers smiling at me - and even a couple looked away and looked back to me. I finally realized it was probably because I was smiling:-) Can you imagine? Smiling in the grocery store?

I finished my rounds and got in line at the check out, unloaded my groceries, sorted my coupons, you know the drill.

When the cashier asked me the 'mandatory' how are you this evening? I replied, "I'm great!" She was taken aback for a moment and told me I was her first "great" all day! I explained that it was a new attitude I'm trying out and smiled at her. She claimed, "Well it's working!" As the young man finished bagging my groceries the cashier asked him if I wasn't the nicest customer he'd had all day.

Now, this is not about me and how wonderful I am! This is about how one person can, indeed, have a positive influence on the world. That cashier was beaming as I left the store. I bet she was extra perky to the remainder of her customers this evening. And I bet some of those customers will be cheered by her positive attitude.

I think back to my random act of buying coffee for the next person in line at the convenience store . . . the smallest things--a few simple words or actions, can change the course of someone's entire day. When I make a conscious decision to notice God's grace pouring into my life, my entire day is more enjoyable. And I am more able to share God's grace with others.

You can probably tell I'm pretty pumped up! I pray I can keep up my new "lease on life" and remember each day that God not only waits for us, but runs to meet us on the road!

"For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf" (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NAS).

Blessings on your journey,
Mary