It was Sabbath and as I stood in the bathroom getting ready for the day my mind told me I needed pants. I felt this urge to go to the shop where I would normally buy such things.
This is not a typical way for me to spend my time on my Sabbath.
So, while my husband was taking a nap I slipped away to the store.
With pants on my mind I scoured the racks and tried things on and found some acceptable items. I was standing in line as it slowly snaked toward the front when I noticed some commotion at the front. There in front of one of the check out stations was a man growing increasingly agitated. He was angry about the ticket price on a pair of shoes and was letting the store associate know about it.
His attack turned very quickly to a more personal nature, commenting on her appearance and skin color. His volume increased and his language deteriorated. He then began including all of us, the community in line, in his tirade.
Knowing what we all know is true about the frequent shootings in our country right now, I began to plan my escape route and how I could stay uninjured in this escalating situation. I also noticed that part of the “line community” had coalesced into a unit fairly quickly moving toward the irate man. I assumed they were intent on de-escalating the situation or protecting people or… One woman was filming the whole thing.
One woman yelled out, ``If my husband were here, he’d flatten him!”
All of this was happening so quickly! Much more quickly than it takes to tell of it.
The man had reached fever pitch, security appeared, and the store manager rushed in.
The man gave one last wince-inducing spray of curse words, screamed at everyone to have a %&#@4! nice day, and ran out the door.
I was next in line to pay for my purchases.
I walked up to the register where the manager was now in position to serve me.
He was sweating, he was breathing hard, and his hands were shaking.
I laid down my chosen pants on the counter and said, “Are you ok?”
No, he said.
I am not ok.
He began to vent.
He told of how most people who come in are nice people. They just want pants or shoes or whatever and they pay and leave. But, he said, there are those who live so on the edge that anything - a small discrepancy in price on a ticket - can put them over the edge. He went on.
I think it's because we can’t have fun anymore. I don't have any fun! In this pandemic fun was taken away from me. I can’t go to a Springsteen concert or a Beer Festival. I’m stuck at home. It can make a person crazy, he lamented. And I’m worried about the store. If it gets out that we have this kind of trouble here, our sales will go down and then I will be screwed… His eyes looked desperate.
That’s when I felt a tap on my shoulder from Jesus and I knew this was not about pants.
I opened my mouth because I felt the call.
No, I said. This happening is not about you. It was about an irate customer. The community of shoppers at your store know this. Your store will be fine. We are for you. We will be back. You’re gonna be ok.
He looked at me and relief flooded his face behind his mask and hope came into his eyes.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your kindness.
You’re welcome. Have a good rest of your day.
I wanted to pat his hand, but patted the counter instead.
Friends. God is tapping our shoulder and saying, it’s not about pants. Calling us to stay awake and aware of the world begging for help around us. To be the voice of kindness, of reason, of humor, of support, of gentleness to the desperate and hurting ones around us.
The hymn says “tune my heart to sing thy grace.”
That’s a prayer for everyday.
What does it look like to pray that prayer today for you? To ask God to tune your heart.
Sometimes it looks like the urge to buy pants on a Sabbath.