At the pizza counter
Bible Reading: Corinthians 13:5-13
Author: Crystal Senter-Brown (Massachusetts, US)
Author: Crystal Senter-Brown (Massachusetts, US)
Thursday 28 March 2024 © The Upper Room.
When I arrived at the supermarket to pick up the pizzas for our fundraising event, I was already running late. I had just finished officiating at a wedding 40 miles away and was rushing to get back on time. The queue at the pizza counter was long and, once I got closer, I realised why. There stood a frazzled mother, along with her children, paying for her entire trolley full of purchases at the pizza counter! As I stood there fuming, no one else seemed to be bothered. Even the assistant seemed to be joyful as he scanned her numerous items.
I realised then that I was allowing something very small to take over my spirit. Yes, it was inconvenient to have to stand there for an extra five minutes, but the end result was a less-frazzled mother with one fewer stops to make on her way out of the supermarket.
Doesn’t God treat us with the same patience – standing by while we work things out? He doesn’t huff and puff when we take our time. So why couldn’t I offer that woman the same grace I am given?
I pray that I will learn to take a moment to be joyful and thankful for all things, and to learn to slow down and take it all in. Every moment – even a frustrating moment waiting at a pizza counter – is sacred.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to extend grace to everyone we meet. Help us to be the light you created us to be. Amen