A Teaching Moment

No, this is not a post about my children learning something. I learned something today from a simple mix up at the grocery store. As I was unpacking my groceries after a pretty long trip to the grocery store, I realized I had gotten a couple items that were from the customer before me when the guy was bagging my groceries. (Actually at first I thought my little toddler had snuck a couple toddler dinners into the cart, but then when I saw a pack of chicken, I realized what had happened.) Anyway, I was tired and hungry and so were my children, but I wanted to call and tell the store what had happened. Upon calling, I found out the lady whose groceries I had at my house had just called the store and was going to pick them up after her child's nap. That sounded good to me to wait till after nap to return them, but then I would feel bad if she got there before me. So, I made lunch quickly, and we all ate in the car on the way to Shop Rite. As I was driving, I had it in my mind that this was an opportunity to give God the glory since I was thinking that a lot of people probably would not have called let alone dragged their kids out a second time to delivery someone else's groceries. I'm guessing a little pride was mixed into that as well! Anyway, I made up my mind when they overlly thanked me for returning the groceries to tell them that all glory should go to God, not me. Sounded like a good idea. However, when I got there, the young girl at the desk simply said, "Okay, thanks," very quickly and moved on to the next customer. I did not get the chance to say anything! Then it hit me. The Lord had another lesson for me today: He gave me a small taste of what it felt like to do something and not get any thanks for it. I was immediatly drawn to the cross of Christ and the One who gave everything and instead of thanks received a slap in the face. I was angry, but not for myself, but for the fact that so many times Christ is not honored when He is so worthy to be praised... and how many times I withhold honor that I know He is due. Today, let's praise Him. Amen?