Yes, You Matter

I ran into Aldi’s the other day to do a little grocery shopping. I  just needed chicken, raw almonds and feta cheese.  That’s it.  Quick. Easy. In and out.  Or so I thought.  After quickly buzzing through the store, I got up to the ONE check-out line and found twelve people- no joke- standing there.  Most with shopping carts heaped high with groceries.  Well, I said to my grumbly self, “Sheesh, you’d think they’d open another line or at least, someone would let me go ahead of them since I’ve only got a few things. I really don’t have time for this.  I’ve got way too much to do!”

And then, totally out of the blue, this thought came to mind... “Mary, you need to pray for these people.”  Now, I’ve come to realize that when I have a totally out-of-the-blue-not-what-I-want-to-do thought that, though not audible, is still deeply impressed upon my heart... Yep, it’s probably the Holy Spirit.

So, deciding to be quasi-obedient, I began a pretty generic draw-them-all-to-You kind of prayer.  And then another not-me thought came to mind...  “Mary, pray specifically for each person in this store.”  And my thought, “But I can’t! I’ll lose my place in line!”  Really Mary?  You’ll lose your place in line?  Really?  That's the best you've got?!

So, I turned my cart around, {darn, now I was fifth in line} and began 

to take notice of each person around me.  

I began to walk back through the aisles and pray specifically for: 

The man with the skeleton tattoo on his neck.

The woman with blond hair, black roots and multiple piercings.

The mom with the red-headed toddler and sleeping baby in the cart.

The sad-faced, white haired woman choosing ice-cream.

The elderly gentleman with a slight limp and a kind smile.

The forty-something woman on her cell-phone.

The tall blond woman in a black dress coat on her cell-phone. 

And, on it went. 

After each person had been prayed for, I finally made my way back to the front of the store.  There was no one left in the check-out line... just me.  So I loaded my few groceries onto the belt, talked and laughed with the cashier, handed her my money and waving good-bye, prayed for her.

After loading my groceries, I sat in my car, head on the steering wheel and cried...  

 Oh God, what an honor it is to pray for those You love.  Forgive me for my selfishness.   Help me to have Your heart for those around me.  Help me to, at the very least, give mental recognition to each person I see.  They exist. They matter.  Help me to love as You love, care about those You care about. 

 Show me Lord...

     1.  It’s not about me or my schedule.

     2.  Every single person matters.  You matter.  God cares deeply for each man, woman, and child that I walk past.  

3.  No one, No. One.  is nameless or faceless to Him.

     4.  When God says “Go”, never say “But, I....”  Don’t say anything but... Yes.     

     I need to go to Wal-Mart this week... That's a very busy place.  Lots of people.

     Honestly, I'm a little worried that the Lord will ask me to pray for everyone there... Surely not :)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”  

John 13:34, 35

 Living in His grace, 

Mary                           

How aware are you of the people around you?

Has God asked you to do something out of your box?!

If so, how did you respond? 
Please leave a comment!

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