Retail.. and Jesus.

So, as most of you know, I work retail at Sunglass Hut. I love working there. My team is AWESOME. The customers... Not so much. I get some really rude customers, most of them from Canada, is there no sense of being polite up in Canada or something? I don't understand. Also, they try to bargain, is that how Canada is too? To be honest, I don't think God is calling me to be a retail lifer.. I mean, I love to talk, and I'm good at providing customer service, but doing the same routine in retail EVERY SINGLE DAY? I don't know if I could handle/settle for that.


But what's God's calling for me? I don't even know yet. When I know, you'll know. That's still something I have to deal with in my future. 


The thing I love about working at Sunglass Hut, is when its slow like it is during this time of the year, and I'm working by myself, I know I shouldn't, but I do other things while I'm waiting for my shift to fly by. Like writing my real father letters, because he is currently on his way to prison. But my favorite thing to do, is read my bible and do my daily devotional, which is what I did today. It really makes my work more positive. 


Today, I had a few customers who were testing my patience and I had just done my devotional and prayed for God to give me more patience and grace for others, because at work, I am usually quick to anger. As soon as my customers started acting rude, I took a deep breath, and did my absolute best to satisfy their needs, without snapping back with an attitude, rolling my eyes, or sighing in frustration. I thank Jesus for providing me with the patience I just requested. 


While doing my devotional, I came across a couple of verses that stood out and tugged a string on my heart. "Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with them all." ..."Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus in you." 
The first thing that hit me was that even I am guilty of kicking someone when they are down. Especially when someone always complains of how awful their life is, its so easy to become flustered, annoyed and just stop caring. But God says to ENCOURAGE them, and to BE PATIENT with them all.. That seems so simple yet, so hard at the same time. Challenge? You bet. Challenge yourself this week to take a step back, take a deep breath, and BE PATIENT. 


The next thing that jumped out at me, was the whole beginning of the 2nd quote. REJOICE ALWAYS: how often to we forget to rejoice and praise God just for today!? Waking up, being able to experience a brand new day, with a new adventure! Take a step back and REJOICE.


PRAY WITHOUT CEASING: to me, this means many things. Pray without second guessing, just speak out. To pray always, giving praise and thanks, and praying for others and yourself, ALL HOURS OF THE DAY. He is ALWAYS listening. You can never annoy God with your constant prayers, He probably wishes more people would be like that, praying constantly, at all hours of the day, even if its just for something small. Anything from the heart is a prayer.


GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES: I have DEFINITELY realized it is so easy to stray from God when things are rough. When a family/childhood friend, Ryan Palmer (who I have known since I was 3) died in a car accident, I just wanted to sleep, and cry and deal with it MY way. Luckily Justin knew I needed God more than ever. He was the only person to say to me, "Brittany, I know you don't want to deal with this, and church is the last place you want to be right now, but you need to go, because you need God now more than ever." And he was right. I went to church that night, and I was healed, because in my heart I knew Ryan was with Jesus, in Heaven. It's so easy to turn your back on God when things get rough, and blame Him for why you are going through a difficult time. Those who remain strong in their faith and release it to God, prove to be the stronger being, and healed faster and more complete than those who "deal with it their way". 


I have found as a Christian, that God will never put you in a situation you can't handle. Through your faith, He will provide. Always. He is always faithful, and He is always good. He can do no wrong, and He knows your heart and desires better than you do, but He is not just gonna give you what you desire without seeing that you can handle it, deserve it, and earned it by putting Him first in your life.  No desires should come before Him.