Supermarkets have always been a most interesting place to visit. One never knows what to expect, who they will encounter, or the conversations which may be had. Somehow a trip to the store is usually an experience.
Several weeks ago, I had one such experience which has yet to stop weaving its way in my thoughts.
Dad and I were waiting for his turn at the cold cut section. The older woman servicing the customers was rude as she was taking the requests of people. I stood observing, taking it all in and then it was dad’s turn.
As she was helping him, her rudeness only had increased, and with that I stepped in to help. It was at that point, the woman next to me began her conversation.
She was a sweet, older woman. She began to tell me how the store employee makes her shake inside. She had previous encounters with her rudeness. She stated she is always like this, mistreating people, and quite insulting.
The woman talking to me was sweet and began to tell me she herself was 84YO. She and her family had come from Germany during the war. They had endured much mistreatment and harm because they were Jewish. We talked for a bit longer as she continued to share.
The behavior of the store employee caused her to remember what she had endured. With that she said, “Keep your nice face on. Stay kind and pleasant.”
“A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.”
(Proverbs 15:13, NASB)
The verse has been nudging me since the trip to the store. What had the employee experienced that had caused her to become rude or bitter? Yet, the woman from Germany had suffered much and had come through with a gentleness and kindness.
Having just finished studying Nehemiah, the verse returned quickly to mind:
“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10, NASB)
Joy, being different than happiness, is not dependent upon our situations and circumstances. Only God can produce joy in us.
The funny thing about His joy is that it also produces a strength in us that goes beyond our circumstances. That same joy and strength will be displayed on our faces.
I returned to look at the verse from Nehemiah in other translations:
- “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (NLT)
- “And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.” (AMPC)
- “The joy that the Lord gives you will make you strong.” (GNT)
We may not know what those around us carry about in their lives – the wounds, the memories, or the feelings. However, we do know what, or shall I say “Who”, we carry around with us.
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…” (Colossians 3:12, NASB)
May the joy of the Lord be your strength.
May we put on a heart of compassion and kindness.
“Keep your nice face on. Stay kind and pleasant.”
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
I don’t know why I continually have to remind myself of joy in the Lord instead of operating from a place of stress or pressure. What a sweet reminder that His joy is our strength.
I think the Lord knew we all would need the reminder. Hence, He put reminders in word for us 🙂 And I am so grateful He did!
Thank you, Joanne, for your thoughts here. When I encounter rude people, I often wonder what bitterness resides in their hearts, what past hurts continue to damage them and those around them. Jesus remarked that we speak (& act) out of the abundance of our hearts. What is stored there by us and others never stays there but shows on our faces and in our behavior.
When we allow God access to those hurts, resentments and bitterness, He heals and removes them replacing them with His joy, peace and compassion. His Spirit then lives within us influencing our words and behaviors.
May we remember everyone is fighting a battle that we know nothing about, and seek to offer from the abundance of God’s goodness within us, mercy and kindness.
Comment *❤️
Joanne, I’m reminded of that old chorus, The Joy of the Lord is My Strength!
Linda, you made me smile. Any time I read that verse in Nehemiah, I find myself humming that song.
As carriers of His peace, love, and joy, we can change the atmosphere of those around us. Your sweet encounter with this 84-year-old lady was like this. If the store employee is routinely and consistently rude, perhaps a mention to her supervisor would help.
I was so glad when a different employee took care of this sweet woman. She had already voiced her thoughts to the store manager the last time she was in there. I think there is such a shortage of help, stores just leave it be at times.
Beautiful blog I love this different version of the verse in Nehemiah. Joanne you are such a blessing. Blessings Diana
Diana, you are most encouraging! So glad to see you are writing again!
I love this Joanne! I too recently had a grocery store encounter. Humbling and full of lessons.
Also yesterday, I was gifted the opportunity to speak to the AM and PM Bible study ladies at church. I was exhausted by PM and this is the verse that came to mind… the Joy of the Lord is my strength.
I am sure the ladies were blessed. May the Lord always bring joy and strength to you, Lisa!
It’s so true that it’s NOT our experiences that shape us as much as it is our RESPONSE to those experiences. May we be in continual contact with the Lord, who alone can manage our thoughts and reactions to the things we suffer.
So very true, Michele. May we be mindful of our responses.
My last children’s book is titled, “I Didn’t Cause that Frown,” – to help children (and adults) add a step to their processing– so that when they see a frown walk up to them, instead of wondering, “What did I do?” they ask instead, “What happened before I saw them that made them frown?” Your message adds a sweet step – to put on your Nice Face — to respond maybe even with compassion to someone doesn’t know she’s a daughter of the King. The grocery store is a complex place – with amazing messages – I am so glad you shared this message.
I always take rudeness as a challenge Joanne, I’d say it’s over three decades of being a Counsellor, but I get straight to the point with the person by asking them if they’re having a hard day?
This normally makes them pause & think, often they have, so I listen to their story. When they ask how I Knew, I tell them they seemed very stressed. Their demeanour has changed by this time & they normally thank me for asking & the next person benefits from the brief de stress. 😉
I love the older lady’s attitude!
Blessings, Jennifer
Someone once suggested to me to imagine a person as a baby when they are rude, or angry, or hard to around. Everyone was once a baby dependent for their needs, and who can’t love a baby?! Thankfully we have God’s word that we can depend upon to keep kindness, love, patience, and joy in our hearts and minds.
My mother was like the woman who spoke with you. No, she wasn’t from Germany and she hadn’t gone through the trials the Jewish people experienced. But my mother was always kind, even when people weren’t kind to her. I didn’t appreciate that trait so much when I was young (I wanted her to stand up for herself and her children). But my mother’s kindness never wavered. It was only later that I realized her strength, and how much harder it is to be kind when people are mean. She’s with Jesus now, but she’s my hero.
“Keep your nice face on” is such good counsel, Joanne. I’m sure speaking with you was a comfort to the lady as she waited in line. I love the verse from Nehemiah, and it’s so true that joy in our hearts shows up on our faces. Wonderful post, friend.