This was today: I am learning to knit, so I got up early and did that for a while and read The New Friars: The Emerging Movement Serving the World's Poor by Scott Bessenecker. It really is a wonderful book. It's giving me hope for an authentic future in the Church. My aunt and uncle spent the night last night, so we had a big breakfast, and then I piddled away the day knitting, reading, and organizing pictures on the computer. It was not the most thrilling day that I have ever had. However, it was relaxing.
I went to work at 5 pm and was greeted with a tidal wave of customers. One customer was extremely particular about her coupons, making sure that I was doing it exactly right and giving me directions for the best way to scan them. I gave her the ::deer in the headlights:: smile for the whole time and nodded, saying "Yes, Ma'am" and "No Ma'am."
When I gave her the bag, she said "Jesus Loves You, you know." I smiled, with the same look on my face, and said "Thank You." It was such a strange interaction... I wasn't sure how to take it. It was almost like the families who leave tracts instead of tips at restaurants.
And then, when we get down to it, my reaction was strange. Why did I say "Thank You" with a half smile/ half grimace on my face instead of something else? I could have said "I know, and I'm so glad! What church do you go to?" or "I know that. But this is a strange time for spontaneous ministry, after you have just belittled me by telling me how to do my job." or "just because I have short hair doesn't mean that I don't know Jesus." Instead, I said "Thank You" because it is a conditioned response, said a hundred times a day after people wish me good day.
Coupons do strange things to strange people. Retail has made me cynical and reductionistic. I am ready to get out of this country.
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