Standing in line!
I don't think any of us enjoy standing in a slow line.
We tolerate it...
We endure it....
We try to calculate it...
"How many people are ahead of me?"
"Why did I choose this line?"
"Is the other line moving faster?"
If you really think about it, waiting in line exposes something in us.
It reveals a portion of our character.
Our culture trains us for speed. Fast shipping, Instant streaming, Two minute devotionals, Microwaved everything. It's like living life on a roller coaster. A fast one at that!!
The other day I was standing in line at the grocery store and the lady ahead of me was writing a check for her groceries. (Not many people write checks anymore)...... I was patiently waiting as it was taking her a very long time, not only to write the check, but to record it in her checkbook.
Behind me, I hear "REALLY?" "Why today." Needless to say, the lady behind me must have been in a big hurry or she lacked patience.
I could tell she was very frustrated so I asked her if she wanted to go in front of me. Her response? "Well, I will if she (the lady writing the check) ever finishes." I thought...How RUDE. No Thank you...No, I would appreciate it. Just frustration.
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Patience isn't proven when things move smoothly. It's formed when they don't.
The question we have to ask ourselves in situations like this is:
"Will I choose irritation or Grace?"
Who knows, the slow person in the check line could be exhausted..They might be grieving...or perhaps they are facing something that is out of their control.
We just never know what story is standing right there in front of us and we need to learn to value and respect others. There is so much to gain when kindness prevails.
Shug...
** Happy Friday Everyone!! I might be slow reading and commenting today..Sam has his treatment this morning and I will not have my computer with me.
Patience truly is a virtue.
ReplyDeleteHoping for good things for you and Sam today.
You make such a good point. Waiting on line can feel very frustrating. I handle it two ways. if I'm in the supermarket and there are magazines- I pick one up and read it and try to relax. Otherwise I think of times I was struggling with something that slowed me down and realize that others have struggles too and need to be respected not criticized. Hoping things go well for you and Sam today.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people have to act that way? Being offered to go next should have changed her attitude a bit.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm not patient in line either. I always seem to choose the one that gets held up. (But my grumbling stays in my head!) :)
Praying all goes well for you and Sam today.
I'm finding a common thread running through blogland today...PATIENCE. I so appreciate your post...beginning in March my focus for my one-word self-control is going to be in the area of patience. You bring out so many good points here. And I admire you for allowing the woman behind you to get in front of you.
ReplyDeletePraying for Sam's treatment day today.
Praying Sam's treatment this morning goes well.
ReplyDeleteAs for patience, you are so right in using the word, "choose." Patience is a choice we must make if we are to have it.
Praying for Sam!!! Patience needs to be practiced whenever and wherever possible, Shug, or we won't get better at having it. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind at all standing in a line if I find myself in the wrong line. It's an excellent opportunity to strike up conversation about Jesus. I've been blessed by many awesome conversations about God just by standing in a long line.
ReplyDeletePraying all goes well for Sam today!
ReplyDeleteI am the world's worst waiter. Thanks for the reminder I need to be more patient in my affairs.
ReplyDelete(((hugs))) and prayers for Sam and his treatments. Praying that will will help him and that he will recover quickly from the procedures. Praying for you too and that there will be a calm and sweet Spirit deep down inside of you.
ReplyDeleteLove your post today. It speaks volumes to me.
Love you
Sue
Praying for Sam and for you.
ReplyDeleteI hate slow lines (or queues as we call them here). There was an old lady in front of me in the supermarket check-out line. She placed the items slowly on the check-out and then when it came to pay for her purchases she did not have enough money. I felt very sorry for her. So I helped her put back all the items she could not afford on the shelves again.
Joke ... kidding ... you know it's not true!
(I just moved to another line.)
God bless Shug.
Some people are in such a hurry. I hope Sam's appointment goes well today.
ReplyDeleteShug, you are so right!!! That woman was not even thankful that you offered her your place!!! Instead, she still expressed irritation. We never know what the other person may be going through.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually pretty good about patience -- I always have plenty of things to think about, mull over. Love, hugs, and prayers for you both. 😊❤️
ReplyDeletePerspective is everything, isn't it? Impatient by nature, yes. But I can't understand anyone being that outwardly rude. I'm so glad you chose to take the high road -- and I hope that check-writing lady is hard of hearing. (She reminds me of my late mother.)
ReplyDeletePraying all went well for Sam's treatment today. I know that is a long and arduous process. (((HUGS))) for both of you. Regarding the long lines and patience...there are times that I am very impatient and get frustrated when I have to wait too long, but I've learned that there's blessings sometimes in the waiting. I just have to look for them and think about that rather than what's irritating me. I like to offer people behind me in line to go ahead if I see that they just have a few things and I have a big order. They always seem to appreciate it. That makes me happy. It's the old "Golden Rule" "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Sadly, I can't think of too many times that anyone has offered for me to go first. LOL. Oh well, I keep trying. I hope you and Sam have a blessed and peaceful weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt never fails, I always seem to choose the slowest line. Patience isn't a virtue I was given much of but I think I am getting better. Last week when I went to Walmart I noticed how friendly so many people were. I passed several people in the aisles who spoke to me, again in line I had people who talked to me and the cashier was extra friendly. It made for a very pleasant experience. How rude of the lady behind you to not at least thank you for letting her go ahead of you.
ReplyDeleteMay we all remember that patience is a fruit of the spirit, Gal. 5:22-23 and much needed in our lives. Thank you Shug for your testimony and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteWow, very powerful post, and I thank you for this. Wishing you a lovely day and keeping you both in prayer.
ReplyDeleteHi Shug! I’m playing catch up as I was in AZ visiting family. Such good points you make here. Patience is something I have often lacked and could be so impatient when I was younger. But now I often do exactly as you say - I think about what someone else may be going thru or dealing with that I don’t even know. And I believe kindness is always the answer too. Blessings to you and I pray all is going well with San. 🙏🏻
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and your husband, and that his treatment went well. Thank you for this post today. It is a gentle reminder of something we as a society seem to have lost. And I agree with you on the cause. Everything is faster now. We need to slow down!
ReplyDeleteI try very hard to be patient, it's become easier as I get older. That was very kind of you to offer your spot, but some people are so rude. I hope the treatment went well and I just read your post about the paint. Oh boy! I hope it's an easy fix.
ReplyDeleteThis was great - I love these words of yours:
ReplyDeleteWill I choose irritation or Grace?
If you could remember to say it when you're in line!
Yes! 100 percent it's when the push comes and how folks react. Even if she's having a bad day, that's just rude sauce.
ReplyDeleteTrue story: I don't mind long lines at all. Was in one today. I just hang out with my goodies. I'm not a very in a rush person so long lines don't bother me.
Wishing you a great rest of your weekend!
We do seem to need to hurry. I have nothing but time these days. Your point is excellent. We don't know what people are facing, either the check writer or the impatient woman. I try to make jokes around the situation. Sometimes it helps.
ReplyDeleteYes, rude of the lady for saying that, but I guess we don't know her story either. And you pointed out such a great thing ....perhaps they are facing something that is out of their control (both of them). So good of you to let her go ahead of you too. And I feel bad for the lady that was slowly writing the check). Patience is not one of my best qualities (I want things done yesterday haha), but I do have patience and compassion for the elderly, the children, the sick, and those that are struggling financially and emotionally. Thank you for the gentle reminder to be PATIENT! I always appreciate your posts, Shug.
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