October 31, 2007

• The great equalizer

  Some of y'all who know me better know all about my insecurities. When I find something I'm fairly good at, it really gives me a boost. I tend, in the deep recesses of my brain, to build myownself up using the building blocks of whatever gifts God has bestowed upon me. I can carry a tune and play a few instruments. I'm a naturally excellent driver. And every IQ test I've taken has resulted in a score around 150 +/-. If I ever start feeling a twinge of smugness, I'm quickly put in my place.

  Just yesterday, I ran into a busy superstore for just a few things. Every checkout line was jammed with loaded carts. I finally decided one of the self checkout lines was my only option if I wanted to get out of there before rush hour officially kicked in. There were 2 people in front of me. The first one was pretty quick and the second only had about a dozen items. Unfortunately, some of those items were apples and onions. I could hear the mechanical voice instructing the man to enter the code or search for the item. It seemed simple enough. So why on earth was it taking so long? After several tries per item, he finally got it all rung up. Paying was another mystery, but it went a bit quicker and, at last, it was my turn.

  It started out just fine. Then I put one item in the cart instead of a bag. The young lady behind me very nicely informed me I had to put it in a bag or push the SKIP BAGGING button. Next item was a Paul Potts CD. Bless her heart, the sweet young thing behind me took it upon herself to talk me through practically the whole transaction. You have to scrub the CD's across this other doohickey to deactivate the anti-theft whatzit. Put the bananas in the bag so the machine can keep track. Turn your card around and swipe the other side. Honestly, I felt like a cave dweller transplanted in a strange new world. It wasn't like I'd never used a self-checkout before. Just not the ones in Wally World. Why must they all be different, anyhow?

  I'm reminded of Will Rogers' astute observation... 'You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.' I'll be sure to remind myself of that next time I start to get impatient with someone who is struggling with what seems a very simple task. Or when Duller sings in the shower. 8-]

  When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
  Proverbs 11:2 (KJV)

  Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

   

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