Mostly because I am idiot, I decided to go shopping the day after Christmas. The tree had yielded a couple gift cards for me, so I figured I should spend them before all the stores shut down (have you received that forwarded e-mail yet?). One of the stores was located in our local shopping mall and I must say that it was crowded…very crowded. Before even entering the mall, I had to vigorously fight the cars in the parking lot for a space. I cut a few people off and scored a spot. So much for post-Christmas cheer! Upon walking through the doors I discovered shoppers everywhere looking to land a bargain so I quickened my pace to the men’s section where shirts were less than five dollars…and no, I was not in Goodwill. After swiping up a few items I rushed to the checkout and began waiting in a line with about four people in front of me. In my best estimation, the wait was about ten minutes. When it was my turn to check out, the cashier started talking to another employee about taking a lunch. It seems she was long overdue because of the constant lines. She started closing out her register and I assumed that meant I would need to get in another line. Usually I can keep my mouth shut in this type of situation, but something inside told me to speak up. Without thinking I said, “Does this mean I have to get in another line?” I felt like I was trying to say it nice, but the words were more harsh than I intended. As the words were leaving my mouth, I saw another cashier stepping up to the register to take this woman’s place. Man, I wish I could have taken those words back!
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
