Friend, no matter your occupation, you are not “just” that. If you have made Jesus your Lord, you are a child of the King.
If you had asked me four months ago what my current occupation would be, I would have answered with some fancy internship title provided by my university. However, that is not the case. Now, I sit and wait for God to hopefully open new doors while being a cashier. In this waiting season, I have learned quite a few lessons. And while some have seemed a little tedious, annoying, and irrelevant, some have made me really stop and think. When something is strong enough to make you stop and think, it’s worth sharing.
So, friend, here are my lessons:
1. People Want to Be Heard, and You Should Listen
I have stood behind the register and listened to a woman tell me that her daughter lives in Scotland and this picture of a cow would make her so happy. So, she is going to buy it and ship it across the globe. Another woman told me that her husband is facing a cancer scare. Then, a sweet veteran’s wife told me how her husband served our country during the Vietnam War, came home, was diagnosed with cancer, lost sight in one eye, and now is accompanying her to shopping trips after she takes him to his doctor appointments. I even got to see two elderly people flirt in a cute 1950’s sort of way.
My point is, people want to be heard. Simply asking “Did you find everything okay?” Will open up the door for conversations to be had. Sometimes, you might wish you did not know the intimate details that are shared, but most of the time, you will smile and realize that God might have sent you that customer for a reason.
I am a “wants to know the end of the story” praying woman. When I pray for someone or a certain situation, I want to know how the story ends. The classic Christian saying that you can plant the seed but never see the sprout always makes me kind of cringe. Don’t get me wrong, I most definitely want to plant seeds where the Lord calls me too. It’s just that I always want to see the result. However, in this new job, I have learned that sometimes the Lord will tell us to pray for people we will never see again.
For instance, when customers tell me about their sick loved ones, I try my best to remember to pray for them. And that is my job as a citizen of heaven. I pray for them and trust God to do the rest. Also included, I don’t expect to see the fruits of prayers on this side of heaven. God has used the random stories from my sweet customers to teach me to pray without ceasing while having enough faith to be okay with not seeing the end of the story.
2. Sometimes You Just Have to Smile and Say, “Have a Good Day.”
Don’t get me wrong, most people are very kind in the city where I live. However, there is always the woman who is mad that the tablecloth is not on sale. Or the woman who tried to convince me that chocolate should be on sale and got mad when she was caught trying to steal the items that were not marked down. I’ve found that it can be really easy to let these types of people steal your joy. They don’t exactly make you mope around all day, but for just a few minutes, you feel an irritation that rises to the top of your being and prohibits you from truly smiling and speaking with the next customer.
While I am speaking of customers who have this effect, there are often peers, family members, co-workers, etc. who can bring this gloomy cloud of irritation into our lives. I have learned that sometimes the best thing to do is simply smile at them and say, “Have a good day.” Most of the time, this gesture will be met with a scowl. In fact, I have yet to see a demeanor change. However, it’s almost as if my brain and body believe me when it feels a smile. Even though Karen just yelled at me about a 40% sign (that doesn’t exist, btw), my brain feels my fake smile and says, “Oh, okay. We’re not mad. We’re happy. Let’s be happy now.”
I know this is easier said than done. In life, it is usually not a customer who is bringing this frustration to peak and you cannot simply call a manager to deal with complaints and attitudes that are above your pay-grade. But even with the people we come into contact with everyday who have yet to have a pleasant encounter, we can smile and say, “Have a good day.” In all honesty, this might be the best thing we can do. When you are on the edge of completely going off on that co-worker or you are about to cut that family member off, just walk away with a smile and pleasantry. It will save you a lot of time, energy, and regrets.
3. Don’t Lick Your Fingers to Separate the Bags
Listen, I know you probably cringed reading this one. But I say it for all of the other girls out there who just aren’t thinking. People don’t like when you lick your fingers trying to separate the plastic shopping bags. Yes, I know and you know that you don’t have diseases and you’re not going to spread any illnesses, but just don’t do it.
4. You’re Not “Just a Cashier.”
I will be totally honest; I'm still learning this one. I have a college degree and have completed graduate courses. However, school is just not where God has me right now. And in all honesty, it’s killing me. But thankfully, I don’t get to make the plans, I just have to trust my Father who does.
I have looked at my peers and their career endeavors and have prayed, telling God that “I am just a cashier.” I am not rolling in money, nor am I changing lives. However, I am praying for strangers. I am learning patience. And I am in God’s will, even if it is not necessarily where I would have chosen to put myself.
Friend, no matter your occupation, you are not “just” that. If you have made Jesus your Lord, you are a child of the King. You have a unique purpose that you may not understand. While you might not always be doing the job you are doing, you will always be commissioned with the action of sharing the gospel. Don’t let where/what you think you should be define you. Trust the Author’s plan to get you where He knows you will be fulfilled. Believe me, I feel hypocrisy running through my fingertips as I type this because I still struggle to understand the pause I feel God has placed in certain areas of my life. But within that pause, I am learning to love life, not goals.
Dear reader, be tenacious; go after your dreams. But live in thanksgiving for the life God has given you. Don’t ignore today thinking about tomorrow. There is a blessing in this season, even if you are just standing behind a cash register.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/oatawa
Olivia Lauren is a graduate student passionate about Scripture, particularly the Book of Romans showcasing God's grace. Outside her studies, she enjoys teaching her dog new tricks and finding quicker ways to silence the smoke alarm after trying a new recipe.
