Ministry In The Grocery Store

It always seems to happen in the grocery store.
It is never planned, at least not by me.
Conversations are shared as each of my items are scanned.
It was a terribly rainy day; the store was not as busy as usual.

A young woman was scanning my items.
Another young woman came over to bag my groceries.
I brought my own bags, I said as she was beginning to use plastic ones.
She smiled; I noticed her bright pink headband.

The cashier was very efficient.
She scanned my groceries quickly.
Let me help you, I said to the young woman bagging my groceries.
She is always so joyful; her movements are slow.

We all talked about the rain.
We all talked about how it was not busy that day.
Somehow the conversation got around to how hard things are out there.
Out there did not mean in the parking lot; out there meant in the world.

Here goes, I thought to myself.
I know things are hard and confusing out there, I began.
I don’t know what I would do without the Lord.
The cashier smiled; I know, she said, waving her hand in the air for emphasis.

The young woman who was bagging my groceries spoke up.
I remember a song the children used to sing in church, she said.
Rather than sing the melody, she recited the song.
She remembered every word and it was wonderful.

I always knew you had the Spirit, the cashier said emphatically.
It’s in your smile, she continued.
I touched her hand.
Thank you for saying that, I told her and meant it.

It was not something to be puffed up about.
It was something that humbled me and made me grateful.
I really do think that Spirit connects with Spirit, I said.
Amen! She said waving her hand in the air the same way as before.

We do not have to throw around Christian-ese.
We do not have to use words and expressions just to sound super spiritual.
In fact, doing that kind of thing does not respect the person to whom we are talking.
Sounding spiritual is not the goal.

It is all about making God known.
We are not to teach a seminary class, we are simply to proclaim Him in our daily life.
We are to praise Him for our blessings.
We are to acknowledge His goodness and mercy.

That can be done in a quiet way.
It can be done in a way that honors God and respects the person with whom you are talking.
It is really wonderful when it happens.
Not pre-planned or formulaic, it just happens in the course of normal conversation.

God takes over.
God brings the people to you or brings you to the people.
You have to be willing.
You have to be unafraid.

Before I reached the checkout line, I saw him stocking shelves.
He has his product on a large cart with wheels.
He cuts the boxes as if on autopilot.
I have known him for years as he travels from store to store.

Hello, Girl, is always his greeting.
I don’t think he ever knew my first name.
He works so hard.
He lifts such heavy things.

I know the job is something he will have to give up at some point.
For now, with earrings in his ears and his hat backwards on his head, he continues to work.
He always fills me in on the way grocery stores operate.
It bothers him when “the people upstairs” make poor decisions.

They order too much for the shelves, he began.
They get mad at people like me because the stuff doesn’t sell.
Do you know how much food is wasted in the backroom?
Produce, bakery items, you name it…He trailed off as if he was picturing the waste.

Why is all that food thrown away and not given to people who need it? I asked him.
They say it’s a liability, he said with disdain.
They say that if someone got sick after eating day old bread, they might sue.
He opened another box.

It’s hard out there, was his conclusion.
Out there seemed to be the theme of the day.
I lean on the Lord to help me make sense of things, I said.
I don’t know what I would do without Him, I admitted.

You got that right, Girl, he answered.
Well, girl, it’s like this, he said seriously, people without Him aren’t doing so good.
You got that right, I said in the same way he said it to me.
See you later, Girl. Stay dry out there. Be careful driving home.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)

Talk about Him.
Don’t be afraid.
Be gentle and respectful but never compromise Truth.
Love the person in front of you as God loves them.

Remember what He has done for you.
Proclaim His goodness.
It is hard out there.
Talk about the Hope that is in Him and watch what happens.

Remember and Proclaim (Andrew Peterson)
As we gather round this table
We remember and proclaim
Christ has died, Christ is risen
Christ will come again
There’s nothing to fear and everything to gain
And so we gather here to remember
To remember and proclaim
Every footstep tells the story
As the people join the feast
We remember his blood and body
Broken for you and me
One step and we remember
The other we proclaim
His death until He comes
O He’s coming back
He’s coming back again!
And every time we break the bread
We drink the wine,
I can hear the song in my heart and my head,
And I sing along…
We remember, we proclaim
His death until he comes again!
We remember, we proclaim
Christ has died, Christ has risen,
Christ will come again!
Now we join with friends and neighbors
To celebrate again
Around a different kind of table
We remember just the same.
This feast, it is a battle
That we wage against the night,
This joy is just a shadow of the resurrection
Of the resurrection life!
And every time we break the bread,
We drink the wine,
I can hear the song in my heart and my head,
And I sing along…
We remember, we proclaim
His death until he comes again!
We remember, we proclaim:
Christ has died, Christ has risen,
Christ will come again!
We remember, we proclaim
His death until he comes again!
We remember, we proclaim
Christ has died, Christ has risen,
Christ will come again!

2 responses to “Ministry In The Grocery Store”

1. A needed reminder as we step outside our villa here in FL for Adriana Villas annual pancake breakfast just now. It is cool this morning, but 50 neighbors are expected. Thank you!

   Reply

   • Susie,
     I am sure that the fragrance of Christ filled the air at your pancake breakfast.
     I am certain that it was a wonderful morning.
     Gina

     Reply