"I tried to throw caution to the wind, but it took my mind instead"

 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

Mmm, conviction. 

I'm quite certain I've been failing more than I've been keeping/living-out this verse lately - especially when it comes to where I work.  The people I work directly with (i.e. my co-workers and managers) - they're amazing people and I enjoy working with them (okay, not ALL of them - but a majority of them, yes). The customers I serve? Never has my patience been tested as frequently as it is working at the local grocery store.

I see all kinds of people come in and out of those doors and through my line on a daily basis. Some are the kindest and most softly spoken people I've ever come into contact with - with them I have no issues.  The others? I feel like I died and have been forced to temporarily live in my own nightmare. Who knew someone I only interact with for roughly 2min could make me feel as stupid as some of these people do simply because I failed to do something exactly how they wanted it to be done. Ri-dic-u-lous. 

So in order to keep my job, and keep this angry customer happy, I refrain from getting upset at them for accusing me of doing something wrong (when I know I did nothing wrong). Thus, my remedy for the situation?  The only thing I can think to do when they're all up in my face telling me how wrong I am and that is to stop. breathe. pray. carry on. Sometimes it helps and other times it merely provides a distraction from returning fire in their direction. 

Then the conviction sinks in when I remember that I'm not here to serve myself, or other human masters for that matter, but I'm here to serve others and represent Christ in all I do. If I'm not actively seeking to do that then I need a priority check. So, I resolve that when the going gets tough that I'm to keep a smile on my face and do what I can to disarm them by being simply nice and accommodating. 

I resolve that if God can put up with me when I'm being annoying that I can certainly put up with people who aggravate me.