A glimpse of Jesus at Walmart

       It was Friday evening and I was at Walmart getting groceries for the week.  It was the first time shopping since our family decided to go on the Feingold diet (a diet that eliminates preservatives,  artificial flavoring, colors, and other things) and after 1 1/2 hours of working my way through the busy isles checking every item to see if it was acceptable according to the Food list and shopping guide that I had with me, I was ready to be done, and go home.  I was waiting in line to check out and it was then that I caught a glimpse of Jesus.  I don't know about the Walmart that you typically visit, but at the Walmart I typical visit the workers are usually courteous and polite, but that is about it.  As soon as the cashier finished checking out the individual in front of me she turned her attention to me, and gave a warm greeting with a generous and sincere smile and asked me how I was doing in a tone that took me back because it sounded like she really cared.  I gave the common, "pretty good" which at that moment really meant I am crabby, tired, frustrated, stressed, and the faster you can get me out of this store the better.  After giving my answer I asked her how she was doing, and her answer was, "I am doing great, thank you so much for asking."  Her answer surprised me for several reasons.
       First, I am not sure that I have ever had a worker at Walmart respond by saying they are doing great, so that surprised me.   Second, I was surprised by how genuine she seemed in her answer.  As far as I can tell she wasn't just saying "great" when in reality she was miserable.  Third, I was surprised by how she genuinely seemed truly grateful that I took the time to ask how she was doing.  Had the conversation ended here, and nothing more but polite courtesies ensued until I was walking out of Walmart, I would have left surprised, encouraged, and wondering what made that woman so different than all the other workers I have encountered at Walmart.
      For the next 2-3 minutes as she scanned all my groceries we had a great conversation.  I  learned that she lost her husband four years ago to cancer, and after replying by saying I am so sorry to hear that she told me that I shouldn't be, and went on to tell me that had her husband never gotten cancer he would not have come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  We talked briefly, and than I was on my way.  As I was leaving the store I said a brief prayer of thanksgiving to God for my sister in Christ.  As I was driving home I reflected about all the people who go through her lane on a given day and leave the store encouraged, surprised, and wondering what made her so different.  Jesus living through her is what made her different, and every day people get to catch a glimpse of Jesus at Walmart in Cambridge, MN when my sister in Christ is working.  I believe that God will use many of those glimpses in his grand scheme of drawing people to Himself!
       At Walmart in Cambridge, MN I have a sister in Christ who offered me, and countless others, a glimpse of Jesus.  Thank you.  Now the question for you and me is simple?  Are we giving people glimpses of Jesus at work, at home, at the store, at sporting events or wherever life takes us?  We don't always have opportunities to sit down and share the Gospel message with every person that crosses our path in a given day, however we should always strive to give people a glimpse of Jesus.  A glimpse of His love, His grace, His patience, and His kindness that will help pave the way for the Gospel to be spoken and received by that person.  Maybe you will be the one who has the joy of speaking the Gospel message to that person, or maybe it will be someone else, but never forget how incredibly important a one minute encounter with a person might be.  Give people around you a glimpse of Jesus today.