Meek is not Weak

I am re-posting a blog from November 2008. I revisited it today. I have copied and pasted it here. It is an example of an occasion where I needed to practice "meekness." My mom and I talked today about meekness. We spoke about how we define it vs. the Bible. 

Matthew 5:5 New International Version
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (My NASB uses gentle for meek).

• In a culture where rights are everything and pride is a virtue, the brand of meekness seems like an insult that suggests weakness.  
• ...the meekness Jesus spoke of—and lived out—was far from weak. He chose to surrender His rights and submit to the Father’s will...
• Only through the surrender of our will to the Father’s can we experience the power of meekness.
• https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/beatitudes
• In the Bible, "gentleness" ...character marked by kindness, humility, and a willingness to treat others with tenderness and compassion, even in difficult situations, essentially reflecting the gentle nature of Jesus himself; it is not weakness, but rather a strength that comes from a place of self-control and love for others, often expressed through soft speech and a non-confrontational approach.
• Google AI general summary.

It's a long re-post but a candid insight to my life in 2008. In truth, I did not keep up with my coupon organizer/system. Now 2024, we don't need to clip coupons because they have gone digital. I forget to use those too. 

Sunday, November 16, 2008

To Whine or Be Kind

I was relaying a story to my boys this weekend about a recent attempt to be Mrs. Organization, Queen of Good Stewardship! I want to share it with you, but first some background. I want to better use our money, especially since losing my job - premature resignation. It's a long story for another blog date. I started reading about using coupons. I am no stranger to coupons, but I wanted a more organized approach. I created a notebook using a friend's suggestion. I organized a binder/notebook with baseball card holder sheets, index tabs, notepaper, and folders for store ads. The card holder sleeves hold coupons perfectly and are user friendly. I went online and looked up models/templates for grocery inventorying and shopping lists. I created my own versions using my computer on Excel.

The Story:
My first time using my new system was exciting. I went to the grocery store on a Saturday afternoon. I had my detailed lists, coupon book, and green totes I bought to avoid use of plastic bags. I had on my tennis shoes, comfortable clothing and was looking like Mrs. Homemaker of the Year. I shopped for close to 2 hours. I read labels, compared prices, retrieved applicable coupons, talked with acquaintances, visited the deli and bakery and generally had a relaxed, peaceful shopping experience. 

At one point, I was kneeling down in an aisle getting some soup. I stood up to find a lady patiently waiting to get some of the same soup I was. I apologized for not seeing her there and blocking her way. She said "No problem. I am impressed how organized you are with your shopping lists (I had my notebook open in the seat.). " She wanted to see it all. It was such a rewarding time to share with her.

I approached the checkout stand. I had a huge cart full. I was in line behind only one other customer. Yahoo! While standing there, a kind bag boy motioned for me to come to his checkout. The cashier didn't have any other customers. Well, thank you Jesus, because I am so tired and want to get out of here. I go to get my "Advantage Card" (the card used to get sale prices and double your coupons). It's on the car key ring but I drove the van! Well, I have done this before. I tell the cashier that I don't have my card. I give her the option to take my phone number to the office, 10 feet away, or if she has a card I can use that would be fine. She assures me it's no problem that she has one she can use. 

I go to the front of the checkout counter and talk with the bag boy while he bags my groceries. The bill is getting spendy but I have a fair amount of savings to come when I redeem my coupons which will be doubled. The cashier was scanning my 16 packets of Kool Aid (8 for $1) and commenting how her head hurt and scanning ALL my groceries were getting on her nerves. I give her my coupons and she gave me the total $220+. I run my debit card. I cringe because I went way over budget. All my hard work and I still went over budget. Well due to the high price tag for groceries, my kind bag boy was definitely going to take my cart out with my groceries and put them in the van. He was obliging and I thanked him and said good bye.

I was driving home from the store. I needed to stop for some paper products at the Dollar General but I didn't dare spend more money. I was fretting all the 3 miles home. Kevin wouldn't be mad or anything, but I wanted to be proud of my hard work and all the money I saved him. I wanted to be within budget. I drove into my driveway. The boys weren't home so Kevin and I would have to unload all $220+ groceries by ourselves. To be honest I don't usually have to unload at all when the boys are home. I was dreading unloading so I took a few minutes to look at my receipt. I could wallpaper with it, Lol! Then I notice something. No coupons were doubled! Worst than that....No Advantage Card savings! I had paid full price for everything. 

I wanted to scream but then again I wanted to cry. I was so tired. I had shopped late in the day because earlier that morning the boys, Kev and I went shopping for some items they needed. I had been on my feet most all morning and afternoon. I just wanted a nap. The thought of going to the store again and have my groceries re-rang or whatever they would do was too much to imagine. I needed the groceries.
I called Kevin in the house on my cell phone. I asked him to go back to Ingles with me. He would need to save someone's life. I explain the whole thing to him. He gently tells me he's sorry but we would have to take the groceries into the store to get the correct prices. 

We walk in and talk to the customer service manager. She listens to the whole story. She apologizes to me and pats my shoulder. She asks me to speak to the store manager. She wants me to tell him everything again, especially about the cashiers attitude. It was the third time reliving the nightmare. In the end they said I did not have to bring in the groceries. They would keep my wallpaper receipt and recalculate it with the sales prices, double my coupons, and give me my fresh meat free. They took my phone number. They called me later that evening to give me a huge credit on my debit card. Yahoo! I was now close to my budget (I went a little over).

Ladies, I was so tired when I reentered the store that Saturday evening. I couldn't believe that this girl had caused me so much grief. I was so disappointed in my experience. However, contrary to what you probably are thinking. I stayed calm when I relayed my story. I acknowledged to the store manager that I was sorry that I didn't have my card. I told him I had tried to make my large order easy to ring up. I had separated my dairy, perishables and vegetables into small baskets. I acknowledged that I had worked as a store cashier and understood that checking out groceries was tiring (I cashiered at 40 however and she was 17, maybe.). My goal wasn't to get her in trouble but I just wanted an easy resolve to my problem.

I had to keep in mind that I asked Kevin to come to be supportive not to be embarrassed by me. I also had to remember that we all make mistakes. I had to remember that how I handle the situation would speak volumes about my character. I didn't want to think of being good or kind. I wanted vent and let them know how inconvenienced I was, but I didn't. They knew I was disappointed but they didn't hear hatred or anger. I had to choose civility. I had to remember who I was. I am representative of Christ. I am a Christian. This was an incredible challenge for me.

In Closing:
I am re-reading and completing a good book a friend taught a Bible study on. It is entitled Feminine Appeal by Carol Mahaney. In the book there is a chapter on The Rewards of Kindness. I read it recently and was reminded of the story above. The Lord was teaching me then what I am reading now. The book's author quotes her husband from one of his books, The Cross Centered Life.

"When I become bitter or unforgiving toward others, I'm assuming that the sins of others are more serious than my sins against God. The cross transforms my perspective. Through the cross I realize that no sin committed against me will ever be as serious as the innumerable sins I've committed against God. When we understand how much God has forgiven us, it's not difficult to forgive others."

The authors states: So instead of dwelling on how we've been wronged, let us entreat the Holy Spirit to help us look at the cross.

Ephesian 4:31-32 .... 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. 

It's been another long blog. I hope you see my heart today. It want's to be kind. It wants to do right. I fail, ladies, but I can't stop trying. The act of forgiveness sometimes seems easier than showing kindness afterwards. Something to think about. Love ya!
Posted by Anna Christina at Sunday, November 16, 2008