Dear Lord; Good morning Father! Today Lord, I’d like to talk about an experience I had last night which made quite an impact on me… I went to the Super Wal*Mart.
I only needed a few items; Some food for dinner, and I wanted to pick up a couple Christmas gifts for the kids so I thought it would be a quick and easy trip. It was around 4:20pm, so I expected to avoid the truly heavy “after-work” traffic and in fact the parking lot was busy, but not as packed as I’ve seen before. I grabbed a cart, went inside, looked around at the hustle and bustle and almost immediately it hit me… No one was smiling.
Not the customers, not the cashiers, not the stock people, no one in eyesight had a smile on their faces. I’m not sure why it hit me so quickly, or affected me so significantly but the whole building suddenly seemed very cold and uninviting. Now, it wasn’t Wal*Mart itself. It’s certainly not my favorite place to shop, but I absolutely have nothing against it either. This was just an overall feeling being given off that pervaded the entire premises. And as I spent the next 45 minutes gathering what I came for, it only became more apparent to me that the people here simply were not happy. Even attempts to garner some positive responses from others in the store failed. I made eye contact, smiled and nodded to countless patrons, and yet all but one ignored my actions completely. In the end, I paid for my items and left the store feeling almost distraught at the overwhelming level of despair I had just witnessed. It hung with me for some of the evening, until I got some quiet time to contemplate and pray for guidance. That helped calm my spirit, but the experience still lingers in my mind.
So Father, this morning my heart is crying out to You for help. You’ve done so much for us, and yet there are so many who just can’t see past their earthly worries enough to bear witness to Your Glorious Works. Please fill these lost souls with Your Endless Love; Make it grow and spread so that Your Light shines like a beacon for all around to behold. Help me be an emissary for Your Word, and spread the Love of Christ and the Miracle of His Birth on to all those I possibly can. Amen. ~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
My daughter works at Kmart, actually today is her last day, but she has experienced what you described. I’ve encouraged her to show the world with this Season is really about. Let the people see that it is possible to have joy and peace this time of year.
This world is looking for peace and we know that Peace. We’ve got to shine our lights brightly for this dark world to see.
Have a blessed day!
PS – thank you for your kind words on my blog. I want God to think I’m beautiful – that is my goal. 🙂
Lisa, I agree completely with you. It just amazed me how much that one experience got to me. In the end though, it served as another little reminder of how much we as God’s Servants have to do to help spread His Message to those who are lost. Have a Blessed Day!
Wow this was really good, I’ve been to walmart this time of year and it’s very crazy but have never really stopped long enough to notice the missing joy but you’re so right. We need our light to shine extra bright around Christmas because there are so many out there who don’t know Christ. Thank you for this post and thank you for stopping by and commenting on my blog, I love new visitors!
~Mandy
Growing with God blog
Welcome Mandy, and thank you! The visit was certainly a sobering reminder to me how much we as Christians need to “show off” God’s Love, and help bring that Peace to those around us.
As for your blog, I very much enjoyed it and have added it to my reading list. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than
welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to. God
Bless You 🙂 ~Ron
Welcome Ron! Thank you for stopping by, and I’ll certainly take a look at your site as well.
Have a Blessed Day!
I have to admit that there are times I am like that.
Sometimes when I am grocery shopping I am so focused on what I am
doing that I am probably not smiling and I certianly do not notice
anyone around me. That is wrong. I should always display the joy of
the Lord on my face and I should be sensitive to those around me.
Something I have been aware of and I am working on. There are also
times that I am very aware of those around me and it is
heartbreaking to see the frowns and hear the rude words from
everyone. As Christians, we should be spreading the joy and love
around. A smile is contagious! 🙂 Great post!
We’re all guilty of not showing a kind heart or a happy face in public now and again Jenifer, what really struck me in this instance was the staggering number of seemingly unhappy people. You’re absolutely right, a smile is contagious and I’m trying to make it point to have one on my face as much as possible. Thanks for the comment, and have a Blessed Day!
This is a heavy season for so many. I’ve seen it and “felt” it as well as I make my minimal trips to stores in our area. How many times have I prayed for a rending of the heavens so that God’s light would clearly permeate the darkness around me! I believe him to be faithful, even as I remain faithful to daily light the sacred wick of his Spirit within.
Keep to it; keep smiling and allowing a platform for others to respond. It does make a huge difference.
Merry Christmas, and thanks for joining me on the journey.
peace~elaine
Elaine, I love this : “How many times have I prayed for a rending of the heavens so that God’s light would clearly permeate the darkness around me!” What a wonderful way to describe what I was praying for that day! Thank you so much for your encouragement, your beautiful words, and your heart. Have a truly Blessed and Peaceful Christmas!