Shopping is not on my list of favorite activities any time of the year, but in the weeks leading up to Christmas, I only enter a store when necessary. Which means occasionally I find myself in a long-line of hurried and harried shoppers whose stress-meters are shooting through the roof.

Last week when I had to return something, as well as point out to the cashier that I had been overcharged on a previous purchase, I dutifully waited in line at the first register (the only one that handles returns). There were only three customers ahead of me and one behind. Standing the required six feet away, I caught the attention of the lady next in line after me and explained to her it would probably take a while for my check-out. She smiled (at least I think that was a smile behind the mask), thanked me for alerting her to the possible wait and pushed her overflowing cart to another aisle. I kept a watch behind me in order to inform any other unfortunate customer who might choose aisle one. Just as the cashier asked, “How can I help you?” a lady with just a few items parked her cart just a foot or so behind me – uh-oh, that should have been a warning. I turned, smiled, then offered, “My transaction may take a while, you may want to…” Before I could finish, she grimaced (definitely a grimace behind the mask), stomped her foot, uttered something unintelligible (probably due to the mask) and made a reckless U-turn, almost knocking over the display of 2021 calendars. Hmm…

Since COVID has come on the scene, I have missed the banter and spontaneous camaraderie that often occurs between shoppers (sometimes it’s my only social interaction, outside of family). The grocery store where I make most of my purchases has the best prices, in part due to their practices such as charging twenty-five cents to rent a cart. Since it opened several years ago, I have hardly ever had to actually pay the quarter, as the shoppers leaving often pass their carts on to the shoppers coming. People greeted each other warmly; it was a kind gesture. Now most people return their carts and get their quarter back from the slot, I suppose because of their concern about spreading germs. As I was going in the other day, my quarter in hand, I noticed an elderly lady fumbling with her purse, attempting to find that elusive coin. Items were falling out of her purse and she appeared frustrated, so I walked over and offered her my coin. “Oh, thank you!” she effused. 

As I began digging in my purse for another coin, a young lady (who probably considered me to be an elderly lady) pushed her cart towards me and offered, “Here, take mine.”  

Germ phobia aside, I reached out for the handle. “I appreciate that,” I responded. When I got inside, I used the sanitizer provided by the store to wipe down the cart and my hands.

As I headed down the produce aisle, I began thinking about the two recent shopping experiences and noted to myself what a difference a little kindness makes. The lyrics of an old Glen Campbell song came to mind: “Try a little kindness.” I hummed it quietly as I filled the cart. 

This week we celebrate the birth of Jesus. My favorite telling of this earth-shattering event is in John 1:14. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Eight of the most precious words in the Bible. So simple, and yet so significant.

When Jesus grew to be a man, he described himself – the only time in scripture that he lists his character qualities – as “gentle and humble of heart.” Definitely, two of the most desired attributes anyone could have.

For caregivers, they are absolutely necessary. Nothing worse than a mean, haughty caregiver. 

When you look up “gentle” in a thesaurus (looking up words in a thesaurus is one of my favorite pastimes), you will find the synonyms kind, tender, merciful, forgiving, sympathetic, tenderhearted, good-natured, sweet-tempered, loving…those are some powerful words and certainly, it should be our goal to exhibit them in our lives. Some synonyms for humble are meek, respectful, free from vanity, servile (defined as “having or showing a willingness to serve or please others). Sounds like the qualities of Jesus – and a stellar caregiver – to me.

Many of us are blessed to have recipients who also demonstrate those qualities. My dad, all throughout his life, would pray, “Lord, keep me sweet in spirit,” and God certainly answered that prayer. 

Vestal Goodman used to sing a song, “That’s What Heaven Means to Me.” One of the lines went like this: “There no unkind words that wound the heart are spoken and this is just what Heaven means to me.”

Whether in public, at work, at home, or when providing care for your loved one, we can bring down a taste of heaven by being gentle and humble of heart. Just think how different our lives would be if we emulated these qualities every day, in every situation.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for becoming flesh and dwelling among us; for becoming a man who exhibited kindness and humbleness. May we do likewise.

May your family be blessed with a love-filled Christmas.