It’s Saturday morning and I’ve just remembered all the items I failed to pick up for Easter dinner. Not wanting to deal with crowds, I crawl out of bed after my morning coffee with my husband and head out to Hannaford.
Oh, good. The parking lot is almost empty and only a few shoppers are drifting through the door. What a perfect morning – blue skied as can be, chilly, typical New England Easter weather.
It’s peaceful in the store and I glide through, maneuvering around shelf stockers, gathering the odd items I forgot. Here I am at the checkout. This line looks promising – one woman ahead of me with a large order, but the clerk is efficient and she’s moving through.
Suddenly everything comes to a screeching halt. The woman is getting on her phone, saying, “This will only take a minute”. It takes much longer than a minute as she is transferring funds into her checking account. Indignation rises within me. What right does she have to slow me down? How piggy! I maintain control and the transfer takes place. The clerk tells her, “You have a very nice lady behind you!” Little does she know what’s brewing in my heart. The woman turns, gives me a lovely smile and thanks me, and takes off. I swallow hard, return the smile, and think, “Rose! You hypocrite!”
What follows is a three way conversation about the vulnerability of electronic transfers, and the joy of the season. “Happy Easter!” is everywhere. Well, on the way home, I’m listening to the song, “And I saw Him, high and lifted up, with power and grace and authority”. Oh, Jesus, I am not like You. Thank you for your resurrection power! Change me Lord! Teach me react like You do!