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.
