Hope at Walmart

I’m in Walmart.  Everyone looks so hopeless.  Eyes are looking at the floor.  Elbows down on the shopping cart and bodies leaning over.  The carts are creaking under the weight of it.  

Blank facial expressions all around.  Even the children.  I catch myself thinking that these parents are killing their children and don’t even know it.  Maybe that thought is a bit strong.

I’m on the lookout for a happy shopper.  ‘God, is there at least one?’ 

The adrenaline in my system is subsiding after a pretty good shot of this chemical in my bloodstream.  There was road rage aimed in my direction while parking the Buick.  At least there was some life out there.  In here, everybody seems to be in lifeless zombie mode.

There has to be at least one happy person.  I try to smile and look people in the eye.  I’m intentional about the spring in my step.  This makes no difference.  The produce department congregation is sticking to their grumpy guns.

I see one!  She came around the corner from the cheese island.  She is smiling and heading for the strawberries.  She is in opposition to the odds.  She is happy and looking around at the colorful bounty of produce filling the shelves.  She is winning the Hunger Games.

Thank you, God, there is one, after all.  One is more than zero.  A gift for those who are seeking such things.

When I’m faced with hopelessness in a situation, I’m not hopeless.  I know that I can pray and expect God to get involved in the things I can’t do anything about, but care greatly about.  I can rely on Him to do whatever needs to be done.  His will be done is my prayer.  This posture is a mighty gift from God.  I want more of that, God, thank you.  Oh God, keep me in your arms of love.

I’m not hopeless, but I’m looking at a lot of it right now in here.  All these unhappy faces, poorly kept bodies, shopping carts full of sugar.  “Get that log out of your eye,” says God.  OK, God, I’ll pray to myself right now for all these lost ones that you love.  You want so badly to put your gifts in their carts.

I’ll try to love these neighbors of mine.  Not that hard, but I’m still a bit sad about the state of affairs here.

How different it would be if they only knew you, like I know you.  I kind of get it, how you feel about it as well.  Sad but hopeful.  And not powerless.  Not hopeless.  Perhaps we can work together and save just one, or two, or many more.  Or at least do some seed sowing.  The angels are ready to rejoice over it. 

Perhaps only one little spark of love from a believer will rock their world.  Maybe I can be the conductor of a spark or two from Heaven.  I’ll do my best to follow God’s lead on that.  Let’s go!  Maybe God is leading me down the nuts and spices aisle next.

Written by David J. Pontzer after too much coffee.