Lesson from a Cashier

I generally don't enjoy keeping company with a "Negative Nelly".  I like to hear positive and encouraging words from my family, friends and even strangers.  In fact, you'll often hear me scolding one of my kids and their negative outlook on life.

If you've read my previous post, One Thousand Gifts, you'll remember that I'm making a concerted effort to list what I love -- God's gifts to me.  But I'm finding that I'm far from achieving perfection in this area of my life.

Last night I was at my favorite store and it was late.  I put all my goods on the conveyor belt when the cashier asked me a simple question, "How are you?"  My response was just as simple, I said "Tired".  She made a comment about many people responding that way on this particular night.  I didn't think anymore about the short conversation until the cashier started to scan the purchases of the person behind me.  Just as she did with me, the cashier asked the lady "How are you?".  She gave the usual response of "Good, how are you?".  It was the cashier's response that sent daggers into my heart.  I can imagine she'd already worked nearly a full shift and since it was late evening I can imagine that she too was tired and ready to go home, but instead of going in the direction of negativity she responded "I can't complain".

I can't complain... why didn't I say that?

I am so blessed.  I was blessed to have the money to pay for the items I was buying.  I was blessed to be getting 10% off my entire purchase.  I was blessed to have a car to get me to the store.  I was blessed to have a family in which I could provide for.

Why did I chose the negative over the positive?

Obviously, I still have much to learn because my words wouldn't have gone there if they hadn't already been in my heart.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  (Proverbs 4:23)

I do the same thing when talking to someone about the weather too.  Granted it's been a brutal winter and spring in my neck of the woods, but there is still so much to give thanks for.  At the risk of being a "Pollyanna", I want people to know that despite my physical or mental state, despite what the weather holds there is still so much to be thankful for.

I didn't expect to learn a lesson on this particular shopping trip, but that's just like God... teaching me in the everyday, mundane tasks of life.  With God's help, the next cashier that asks me how I'm doing, I pray that I'll be able to respond with something positive because God HAS blessed me and I truly want everyone to know that even in my tired state, God is always good!

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.  (Psalm 105:1)