The Difference

I ordered a couple movies with the site to store option at Walmart. When I tried to pick them up, a sign was displayed that said, "See an Electronics Associate for help." I found the appropriate man and asked for assistance.

When we got back to the counter, another customer had arrived and was waiting. The employee asked if we were together. I answered, "No," and he began to help the other customer.

I was angry.

I was clearly there first. I followed the rules and found help. It was while I was finding service, the other man found the line. I saw him on my walk to get help.

The employee should have been assisting me first. 

And what was wrong with the other customer? He knew I was before him, and he didn't care. What happened to being a gentleman?

I was kept waiting for quite some time. I had plenty of time to stew, and I was furious. I kept biting my lip to keep from spewing my anger.

Finally it was my turn. There was no thank you from the other man, no apology. Nothing. Just felt he was important enough to be served first.

It took everything in me to hold back and only give my order number. I wanted to give him a piece of my mind! At this point, Zechariah was getting restless which didn't help my frustration level. I told him to stop messing with something.

In response the man said to me, "Zechariah. I like that. A Christian name."

My anger immediately fizzled out and I was ashamed of my attitude. I was representing Christ.  I was in no hurry. In fact I was there because I had extra time before an appointment. My attitude was all because I thought I wasn't getting the attention I deserved. I had puffed myself up so big I couldn't see the floor beneath my feet anymore. His response made me feel two inches tall.

What kind of an example would I have been if I yelled and demanded service? I can tell you what kind. The kind that looks exactly like the rest of the world.

One of my favorite quotes says it best, "If they can't tell a difference, what difference is there?"

Crochet

Yesterday I learned to crochet! I was so frustrated. I wanted to give up. I couldn't understand it. It was confusing and difficult.

I watched my mother's hands for what seemed like hours. After failing so much, I didn't want to try again. She left me for a minute and told me to practice.

I was afraid. I didn't want to fail again. She had expressed her faith in me. I could do it. I took a step of faith, and gave it one more try. This time after patiently watching her for so long, I got it.

Something clicked and it was no longer a mess of string, going every direction. It had order and made sense. It had purpose and transformed into beauty.

I was crocheting. I learned how.

Many times our lives feel confusing and chaotic. They don't make sense and they are too hard. We want to quit and give up.

But... if we keep our eyes on the Master, patiently watching and waiting, it might start to make sense. Where we see disorder and pain too difficult to bear, God sees purpose and a plan.

He has a beautiful, intricate design for our lives. We can't give up before the beauty emerges. We must patiently pursue. One day it will click, and we will see our lives as a masterful work of art.