RECOGNIZING THE UNDER-APPRECIATED!

Having stopped at a Dollar General Store recently to pick up a few things, I past the store clerk who was occupied with his phone and the only acknowledgement I got was a quick glance then back to his phone. I smiled anyway and went about my business thinking little more about it. After gathering up what items I needed I proceeded to the checkout, and as I approached I could hear a man’s voice on the clerk’s cell phone. My first thought was how rude to be on a personal call when you are suppose to be interacting with your customers! As it turned out, after the clerk checked me through, with very little verbal interaction because he was listening to the guy on the phone, I decided to take some action myself. I noticed his name tag and it said his name was Alex, so as I was gathering my packages together, and fortunately the guy on the phone had quit talking by then, I said, “Alex, thank you, and I hope you have a great rest of the day!” I couldn’t believe how the young man opened up. He explained that his co-worker had gone on a break and they were suppose to have a telephone conference call at 11:00AM but moved it an hour ahead, so was 10:00AM, which he, nor his co-worker, were aware of nor prepared for. The bottom line was he was by himself trying to handle customers, listen to this conference call, which sounded mandatory, not to mention other issues that may arise at any moment. As I left the store we shared a few moments of everything happening at once and ended up we were both laughing as I went out the door. Driving home I told God that I hoped I had made a small difference in that young mans day, because it didn’t look that way when I first entered the store. People just need some recognition, especially those in under-appreciated situations. May God remind us of that everyday and with every interaction we may encounter.

1Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, may your grace help to find purpose in the overlooked service in those that feel unappreciated. May they find the the freedom in glorifying you and not the need for human validation. May we be your vessel to lift those up that feel unnoticed and less important. In your precious name we pray. Amen