FRIDAY NIGHT:
A few nights ago, Friday I believe, Bob came in at 7:56. Only four minutes before closing. That was okay, except I knew what he wanted. Scratcher lottery tickets. I already took the lottery down and the store was busy, I wouldn't have time to redo everything I've already done. I told him in advance I already took it down, then he gave me a disappointed look.
"Why can't you sell me tickets anyways, all you have to do is take them out."
"I can't because it's four minutes before I close, I have other things to do." I paused for a brief second. "I don't have time to redo the lottery, sorry."
"Oh come on, please. This is the only reason I came here. I won't do it again, I promise."
"Okay." I hate telling people no, and I didn't want to make him mad.
"Thanks, I won't get very many."
That was the end of that story. I wasn't mad at him by any means, I just a little annoyed because he knows what time the store closes, yet almost every night he comes right at close. I'm normally nice and just get him some, but as I already said I didn't have the time that night. Just so you know he lost on the tickets he bought. I know I probably shouldn't have been happy that he lost, but I was.
MONDAY NIGHT:
He came in again a few nights later, thankfully this time it was only 7:20.
"How are you today?" I asked him smiling.
"I'm blesssssssed." He answered with a half smile. -That is how he always answers, I think that's his way of making fun of my beliefs.- I only smile back. "Looks like you aren't angry today." I knew exactly what he was talking about, he thought I was angry Friday night.
I half smiled. "Looks like someone is here before four minutes until closing time."
"I don't know why you guys take the lottery down that soon anyways." Before I had time to answer he changed the subject. "Churchgoers aren't suppose to get angry." He laughed like he was trying to make me feel bad about being "angry". I did feel bad though, I'm suppose to be an example to people like him, even on my Bad Days. I wasn't being a very good example if he thought I was angry.
"Well, I wasn't angry, only just a little irritated."
Somehow that started a conversation about how he never gets angry, but that other part of the conversation has nothing to do with this. I should add, I've seen him angry, he's not as perfect as he was trying to sound there.
As he was scratching his tickets, I kept thinking of how he told me churchgoers aren't suppose to get angry and what I wished I would have told him. I wish I would have simply told him I need Jesus.
WEDNESDAY MORNING:
Here's the thing, I am a sinner in need of God's grace. I'm not perfect. I get angry, I think thoughts I shouldn't, I lie, I covet, I have people that I dislike, I put other things before God, I'm selfish, I'm lazy, I cheat, I have lustful thoughts and act on them. Lets face it, I reject God daily. I'll admit it, I hate to admit it, but I'm no angel. I'm far from perfect, but that's why I still need Jesus.
If I was perfect, like your idea churchgoer, I wouldn't need Jesus. I'd be okay on my own, but I'm not. I need Jesus. The funny thing is churchgoers need Jesus too. I've heard so many people say they won't go to church because there's to many hypocrites there. NEWS FLASH: That's why people go to church, because they need Jesus. Church is a hospital for sinners. Their hypocrisy just shows me how much they need Jesus, it shows me that they understand how they are suppose to live, but they still have their struggles. That's why they are in church. That's why I am in church, not because I have it all figured out, but because I don't. I'm a sinner in desperate need of God's grace.
Just to clarify, I'm not saying it's okay to sin because Jesus forgives us anyways, I know I still need to strive to be the best I can be. All I'm trying to say is that I'm just like you; I need Jesus...
Unimportant Side Note: Man, Bob just keeps showing up in my blogs... He was in Money and Planting Seeds also.
01-25-2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
What Has Jesus Been Teaching You?
I'm so glad today is over! It was one busy day! I've been so busy cleaning and stocking things work. At 7:00 I finally got to work the register. I love working the register, so I can talk with everyone.
There was this one guy that came in, I've seen him before. He's complimented one of my Christian T-shirts, and he told me once how he was letting some missionaries stay at his house. This is a cool guy. He walked up to the register and started talking with me.
"What has Jesus been teaching you here lately?" He asked me with a smile.
I was shocked with his question. It was so random how he asked me. I really had no clue what to say to that. My mind was spinning, trying to think of something to say that wouldn't sound stupid I finally managed to say "Uh, not much." I tried and say it quiet because I knew that wasn't the answer he wanted.
He looked at me, I could see the confusion in his eyes. "Not much?"
Of course that answer wasn't acceptable. Jesus is always teaching us something, if he's not we aren't listening. I thought about it a few seconds longer and I remember the sixty five dollars from God Will Provide. I didn't explain everything I just simply said "Well, He's been teaching me that He will always provide."
"That's great! God certainly will!" Then he quoted Matthew 6:33.
After he had left I kept thinking of how stupid I must have sounded. I barely was able to tell him anything that Jesus had taught be here lately. Then I started thinking how Jesus really hadn't taught me a lot within the past year or so. Why? Because I've been busy. I've been to busy to listen to Jesus' voice.
I'm Martha in this story. I've been distracted with my education, with my work, with my boyfriend, with my family, and with my hobbies. Yes, all of these are good things, but so was the big dinner Martha was preparing. Martha was so busy with the dinner she forgot how important it is to listen to Him. She needed Jesus to remind her to slow down and listen to Him. He is far greater then that dinner she was preparing. In the same way, I think God used this man to remind me of that also. I need to slow down in my busy life and listen more. What has Jesus been teaching you?
1-24-2015
There was this one guy that came in, I've seen him before. He's complimented one of my Christian T-shirts, and he told me once how he was letting some missionaries stay at his house. This is a cool guy. He walked up to the register and started talking with me.
"What has Jesus been teaching you here lately?" He asked me with a smile.
I was shocked with his question. It was so random how he asked me. I really had no clue what to say to that. My mind was spinning, trying to think of something to say that wouldn't sound stupid I finally managed to say "Uh, not much." I tried and say it quiet because I knew that wasn't the answer he wanted.
He looked at me, I could see the confusion in his eyes. "Not much?"
Of course that answer wasn't acceptable. Jesus is always teaching us something, if he's not we aren't listening. I thought about it a few seconds longer and I remember the sixty five dollars from God Will Provide. I didn't explain everything I just simply said "Well, He's been teaching me that He will always provide."
"That's great! God certainly will!" Then he quoted Matthew 6:33.
After he had left I kept thinking of how stupid I must have sounded. I barely was able to tell him anything that Jesus had taught be here lately. Then I started thinking how Jesus really hadn't taught me a lot within the past year or so. Why? Because I've been busy. I've been to busy to listen to Jesus' voice.
Luke 10:38-42 As
Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came
to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her
home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But
Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to
Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just
sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”I'm Martha in this story. I've been distracted with my education, with my work, with my boyfriend, with my family, and with my hobbies. Yes, all of these are good things, but so was the big dinner Martha was preparing. Martha was so busy with the dinner she forgot how important it is to listen to Him. She needed Jesus to remind her to slow down and listen to Him. He is far greater then that dinner she was preparing. In the same way, I think God used this man to remind me of that also. I need to slow down in my busy life and listen more. What has Jesus been teaching you?
1-24-2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
God Will Provide
Last week was awesome... I was given sixty five dollars in "tips". Yay! I love tips, especially since I ever get them. Cashiers rarely get tips.
A regular customer came in and bought some lottery and cigarettes. We small talked a little, not really much. Out of the blue he told me he forgot to give me my Christmas present. I of course thought he was joking. There are a lot of customers that joke about giving me something, but all of them are doing just that, joking. I laughed it off. Then he handed me a fifty dollar bill. I wasn't sure what to even say, I tried giving it back, but he wouldn't take it back. So I just thanked him.
Two days after I had to close the store that night. During my shift an unusual amount of people kept handing me the wrong amount of change. I would have "made" over one hundred dollars that night if I was dishonest with everyone. I wasn't though. I gave everyone back the amount they should have got back, even if they didn't realize they gave me to much. I finally got off. As I was heading to my car I saw a ten dollar bill just laying on the side walk.
The next day it was a normal day, nothing exciting really happened. Although, a customer did give me five dollars! This one actually is kinda funny. This old man came in and asked if he could use the restroom which is right behind the register. Of course I let him use it. I forgot about the man, then an hour or so later this man comes out of the restroom hands me a five dollar bill and told me I saved his life... Needless to say, that bathroom stunk really bad.
On my way home from work I was praying. Asking God why he had given me sixty five dollars when he could have given it to someone who actually needed it instead of me who has a lot of money saved in my bank account. I didn't need the money one bit, I thought maybe it was a "test", but that didn't make any sense because I have always been honest, this is something I don't struggle in. Finally I left it go. I told God that I didn't understand why he had gave me the money, but I'll leave it at that.I realized I didn't need to question why God had done that.
During the same drive home I started to complain to God how my boyfriend/unofficial fiance is planning on taking a job that only pays 8.50 an hour. That is not enough to support a family! I just didn't see how it would work. But finally during that prayer I remembered the sixty five dollars he gave me. If God gave me this much money when I don't need it, how much more will God provide for me and my family when I do need it?
Matthew 6:31-33 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
I love that verse. If I start living the way I should God will make sure he provides for me. So, moral of this post is I'm gonna learn to trust in God more. Maybe I need to quit thinking about all of this so logically and just place it in God's hands and trust him in this. He provides for the birds, surely he will provide for me just as well. I just need to learn to trust God in everything. God will provide for me.
1-23-2015
A regular customer came in and bought some lottery and cigarettes. We small talked a little, not really much. Out of the blue he told me he forgot to give me my Christmas present. I of course thought he was joking. There are a lot of customers that joke about giving me something, but all of them are doing just that, joking. I laughed it off. Then he handed me a fifty dollar bill. I wasn't sure what to even say, I tried giving it back, but he wouldn't take it back. So I just thanked him.
Two days after I had to close the store that night. During my shift an unusual amount of people kept handing me the wrong amount of change. I would have "made" over one hundred dollars that night if I was dishonest with everyone. I wasn't though. I gave everyone back the amount they should have got back, even if they didn't realize they gave me to much. I finally got off. As I was heading to my car I saw a ten dollar bill just laying on the side walk.
The next day it was a normal day, nothing exciting really happened. Although, a customer did give me five dollars! This one actually is kinda funny. This old man came in and asked if he could use the restroom which is right behind the register. Of course I let him use it. I forgot about the man, then an hour or so later this man comes out of the restroom hands me a five dollar bill and told me I saved his life... Needless to say, that bathroom stunk really bad.
On my way home from work I was praying. Asking God why he had given me sixty five dollars when he could have given it to someone who actually needed it instead of me who has a lot of money saved in my bank account. I didn't need the money one bit, I thought maybe it was a "test", but that didn't make any sense because I have always been honest, this is something I don't struggle in. Finally I left it go. I told God that I didn't understand why he had gave me the money, but I'll leave it at that.I realized I didn't need to question why God had done that.
During the same drive home I started to complain to God how my boyfriend/unofficial fiance is planning on taking a job that only pays 8.50 an hour. That is not enough to support a family! I just didn't see how it would work. But finally during that prayer I remembered the sixty five dollars he gave me. If God gave me this much money when I don't need it, how much more will God provide for me and my family when I do need it?
Matthew 6:31-33 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
I love that verse. If I start living the way I should God will make sure he provides for me. So, moral of this post is I'm gonna learn to trust in God more. Maybe I need to quit thinking about all of this so logically and just place it in God's hands and trust him in this. He provides for the birds, surely he will provide for me just as well. I just need to learn to trust God in everything. God will provide for me.
1-23-2015
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