Finally!

My fingers have found their way back to the keyboard in an attempt to write something worth expressing.

For what it might be worth, I have missed you!

In short, a lot is happening right now.

The new job is going well as I adapt to the new culture, challenges, and opportunities before me.

At times I feel like a Golden Retriever with its head out the car window as the vehicle is speeding down the highway.

I am smiling, my ears are pinned back, and I have no clue about what is coming at me next.

Life is good. I am enjoying the moment. I am grateful.

It sure beats the no job thing I recently experienced!

We have an accepted offer on a house where we will soon lay our heads.

A young couple has placed a qualified offer on our current home and we are awaiting the final hurdle to be jumped in the process of nailing down the actual closing date vs. the pending closing date.

As the lyric to an old song describes, “our bags are packed and we’re (nearly) ready to go”.

We may not be leaving on a jet plane, but you get the idea.

My weekly schedule is highly predictable at the moment, a symphony of daily structured activities.

I rise early on Monday to commute the two plus hours to get to work on time, one hundred twenty miles away.

Monday evening is “transition” day where I do my thing at work, stop at the grocery store afterward for a few supplies, and then settle back into my “home away from home” (a RV generously made available to me by Gordon and Nancy, parents of a friend of mine).

Tuesday through Thursday I go to work and come home to my temporary, tubular domain.

Friday’s routine amounts to getting into work sooner than later so I can leave by early afternoon to avoid the excess traffic on my trek back home.

The weekend is filled with move prep, cutting the grass, and catching up with Jackie.

The process is then repeated to start the next week.

I have managed to get the routine down to a science.

As of this post, six weeks down and three to go until the tentative move date.

However, this week the unexpected found its way into my routine.

My Monday evening stop at the grocery store this week was where the unexpected occurred.

It was the lesson I learned at the deli counter. 

Although I was in no real hurry, the service seemed a little slow.

I patiently waited for my number to be called as the two female deli workers waited on other customers.

One of them seemed the “veteran” deli person. She was on top of it.

The other seemed to be a “pinch hitter”, called into action from another department and somewhat in a state of disarray.

Can you guess which one waited on me?

If you guessed the pinch hitter you guessed correctly.

The pinch hitter called my number. She had a nice smile.

I think she had A-D-D.

I asked for a quarter pound of provolone. She reiterated my wishes. She gave me a half-pound.

I asked for the small container of crunchy-veggie-salad. She could not find the code to price it correctly.

The “search” for the “code” ensued.

I can honestly say I was not impatient nor did I express impatience through my body language with deep sighs or negative facial expressions.

However, I did “hear” a few thoughts zing through my noggin.

• “It seems like you found another winner.”
• “Why can’t this lady speed it up a little?”
• “How is it you always seem to manage to get the wrong person to wait on you?”

Boy, am I glad I did not listen to those thoughts and displayed a real sense of patience and understanding (for a change!).

After finishing my order, the pinch hitter noticed my work ID badge hanging proudly from my shirt collar.

Pinch Hitter: “So, it looks like you work at LGH (Lancaster General Hospital).”

Me: “Yes, I do. I am reasonably new there”.

Pinch Hitter: “I absolutely love that place. I get all of my medical services there. The people are so nice. I would not consider any other place to go.”

Me: “We very much appreciate your business.”

I departed the deli and was on my way.

My internal dialogue (gulp) went something like this:

“Thank you Jesus for helping me not act like a jerk (like I sometimes do!).”

My ID card said I was representing the organization for which I work, whether I was on campus or off.

It linked me to my employer even though I was only trying to get my deli stuff and go back to the RV.

What could have been the consequences personally and collectively if I had entered The Land of Jerks?

• I would have set in motion my own downward spiral into negativity.
• I would have disrespected another person and caused them embarrassment or grief.
• I would have potentially impacted the business which offers me a paycheck, if the pinch hitter would consider exercising her option to go elsewhere for medical services.
• Most importantly, I would have done a disservice to the One who I claim to represent.

Enough said. Lesson learned.

None of us is perfect and we all make mistakes.

The treasure is in learning from the mistakes and the fine tuning needed, with God’s help, to be a better version of ourselves.

This time my actions came to my aid.

I ask forgiveness for those times, privately or publicly, where my actions have not been so admirable.

I thank God for the lesson He taught me at the deli counter this week.

He speaks, if we are willing to listen.

The lesson I learned is this, which I share with you here:

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not…rude”. I Corinthians 13: 4-5 (NLT)

You may not have had a similar deli-counter revelation.

However, we all have these types of interactions on a daily basis.

It might be in traffic, at the hair salon, waiting in line to pump gas, or yes, even at the deli counter.

The choice is up to you.

Will you express love or will you travel down a less desirable road?

I pray the former. Either way, our choices have consequences.

It’s worth considering our actions in advance.

What lessons have you learned at your own version of the deli counter?