The UPS Store

I blogged about how I had a really off week last week, but even this took me by surprise.
Ok, I am someone with impeccable impeccable manners. I am polite to a T. I raised my daughter the same way.

Last week I sold two vintage afghans in my etsy shop, and I was too lazy to drive all the way (less than 5 miles) to the post office to mail them, so I went to the UPS store, (it's walking distance close).  It was all I could do to crack any kind of smile last week, and it was no different walking into the UPS store. (I kept thinking to myself, boy I am in need of grace this week, and in this store I was obnoxious).

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I walked in without a smile on my face, and approached the puffy envelopes on the wall to my left. I noticed there were only like 3 sizes (come on!), so I walked toward the counter and asked the adorable teenage boy: "Is this all you guys have for options on puffy envelopes???" (yes in my head it was several question marks)--
He answered, "Ah, yes, yes ma'am."
I literally rolled my eyes at him and said, "Really? Ugh, you're kidding me? Why?" 
He said, "Not sure, ma'am, I agree we don't have a big assortment."
I didn't say anything except huffed and puffed and oh, ya I spoke rudely to him for the next 10 minutes while he priced shipping out for me. Internally I was so upset with myself that I was treating this sweet boy so poorly, but it's like I just couldn't help myself. It is rare, very rare for me to be rude to anyone in public, so it's something I notice right away if I'm off.


As he finished up, he told me thank you and to have a good night, and as I started walking away I was convicted, and I said,
"You too honey.... I'm sorry I got frustrated about the envelopes."
He replied, "Awh, that's ok ma'am, I understand, you have a good night."


Talk about grace! And unexpected with sweetness! This boy gave me such a gift by saying that to me, and being so gracious after the way I behaved. It was such a lovely surprise.
When I think about the whole 10 or so minutes I was there, I think about how I knew I was behaving poorly. I knew I wasn't being a Light. I knew I wasn't being kind. And isn't that the key? I knew in my heart I was being a brat, and I think because I was aware of that, God blessed me. I think that boy being so generous to me was a gift. It's important to be in tune internally, not because I think I'll get a blessing, but because God can turn it around for us, and we can be a blessing! We can come out of the muck in a moment by simply being humble like I was with that UPS worker! It was such a simple moment where I was thankful for grace so so much. It was a moment where calling on God in an instant created beauty. It was in a moment that I realized how much I adore connecting with humanity. It was in a moment that I met the face of humility and a stranger showed me grace. All this at a tiny UPS store a mile from my house.