Going First and Cutting In Line

Earlier this month, we took Gracie to Chuck E. Cheese for her birthday. The lady behind the counter was busy redeeming tickets for prizes, so I stood in line and waited my turn. Suddenly, a little girl ran up and broke in line in front of me. I didn't say a word as I figured she was probably excited. The clerk behind the counter knew I was next so she proceeded to serve me. A relative of the little girl walked up behind me and said, "I can't believe you broke in line! My child was next! That is just rude." I just smiled and didn't say anything. The relative tried to get something started with the clerk, but she quickly finished with me and went on to wait on the little girl who broke in line.

Yesterday, I went to Walmart for our weekly grocery trip. Loaded down with groceries and both kids, I stood in line at the check out counter. A cashier was about to open and motioned for me to come to her line, so I did. When I pulled my buggy up, another lady jumped in front of me and plopped down a few things. The cashier didn't acknowledge her and started scanning my items. The lady grabbed her items, blurted out words that would make my momma blush and called me every name in the book in front of my kids and left. I had to keep my head down through the whole ordeal because I was afraid I was going to come unglued in front of her and the hundreds of Walmart customers there. I got in the car and thought, "What is it with people these days thinking they are supposed to be first at everything?"

Paul states in I Corinthians 4:3-4 how he feels about people's actions towards him. "I am not controlled by what people think of me. As long as God is satisfied with me, I am satisfied." I was almost controlled by those two people and their attitudes. A part of me wanted to "tell them like it is", but I knew if I did, I would have caused more harm to the situation. Letting it go was easier than fighting their attitudes.

Maybe I should stay out of checkout lines for a few days and let all of those who want to go first get the opportunity!