“Be at peace among yourselves. And…admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:12-18
This time of year brings all kinds of gatherings and celebrations. It also brings so many “extras”. Extra food, extra meetings, extra errands, and extra tasks to be completed. At times the meaning behind why we gather gets lost and is replaced with lists of things to be accomplished and stuff to obtain.
The other day I was in a rush to get out of the store I was shopping and so I tried to strategically choose the line that would get me out of the store the quickest. After thinking I had chosen wisely I realized that the person who was bagging my groceries was the slowest cashier by far. I was forced in that moment to do two things: to slow down and to embrace the situation that was before me. Instead of getting angry, I enjoyed my conversation with this young man and when he was finished bagging my groceries he said to me, “thanks for listening to me, you really made my day.” I left and gave thanks to God for the reminder this young man was of joy and of what I miss when I am trying to rush through my day.
Action: Slow down and enjoy the people God places in your path today.
Prayer: Dear God, forgive me for rushing through my tasks some days. Slow me down and remind me that you place people and circumstances in my path as opportunities to both hear from you and to minister to others. Amen.