Personnel

Why is it that the sales personnel at Christian bookstores have to be so obnoxious? When I walk in that store versus another, am I giving up my rights to personal space? To a quiet shopping atmosphere? Should we not expect that at a decidedly "Christian" store, shopping would be of the utmost pleasure?

Not so.

As I browsed the sale table for a good 15 minutes, I was approached by 3 out of the 4 sales associates that were working at this particular Christian bookstore this afternoon. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy being waited upon and appreciate when store employees are at hand to answer pertinent questions, but this situation was a bit out of hand. You see, the sales table is approximately 3 feet away from the counter where customers check out, and behind which the sales associates are standing. Now they don't know that I'm not afraid to ask a question if I have one, but REALLY... do ALL THREE of you need to come and ask me if I'm finding everything alright, when you clearly see the other person just finished asking me the same question? Unreal.

And on top of that, Mr. Manager, the store is small. You do not need to raise your voice while trying to sell someone on a great deal so that everyone else could hear you, because even if you were talking close to a whisper, your voice would carry to my ear. And to ice the cake, because you can't keep the conversation between yourself and your customer, I am less likely to buy into your sale because I'm annoyed at you trying to give the same pitch to everyone who walks by. (By the way, they've all already heard it twice by the time they even make it to the sales table!)

And furthermore, when I've got a bag of merchandise from your store and my keys in hand, please don't try to interest me in another book on my way out the door. Where am I, at a John Maxwell event? You placed that table there so that people would see your books when they come in, I understand. Most will not return back to the line for another book on their way out... most logically because they've spent a ridiculous amount on enough ridiculously high-priced books. Save my sanity and yours and let me go. That way, I can come back tomorrow and buy that book you're trying to sell me, because hey - that's two punches on my perks card instead of one.

The bottom line is this - I will put up with pushy personnel because I am a sucker for perks cards. Go figure.

Understanding

A close friend of mine once told me that he must marry a woman that understands him. What an interesting thought, since this is often what most people desire, but usually find insurmountable. Understanding the opposite gender? Impossible. I never thought that this one factor would be so crucial.

Yet there are those rare instances when one is proven wrong - when a certain Thomas is redeemed from his doubt - and a friend is found that understands the other to the core of his being. This isn't necessarily the friend that knows you well, but the one who understands why you do the things you do, the very fibers that define who you are. This, I believe, is your true friend, for he knows what you need. He understands where your values are grounded and strives to affirm you.

I never realized the value of understanding until I moved to a place in which those close to me were removed, where none around me knew me, let alone understood. Yet rising from this cloud of mistunderstanding and misdirection comes one who says, "I get it" or "I believe you can do that" or even as brutally honest as "It's not all about you, Kim." That's the person you're going to want to keep around - the one who understands you to the depth that he knows you need to hear the honest truth and will present it with kindness. He or she will provide the cushion as you kneel, preparing you for the battle you will need to wage. This is your true friend.

Big scoops, big spoons

What is it about eating ice cream at home with a really big spoon that makes one feel so carefree? Is it the size of the spoon on it's own - it's ability to hold a ridiculously large amount of ice cream at once - or is it that using a big spoon makes one feel like a child again, and thus more carefree?

Does it take you back to your childhood? Did you ever scoop out your ice cream and then swirl it all together really hard to make it all smooth and creamy? That was so much easier with a big spoon!

I am convinced that no matter how dull, one's day can be made almost immediately more joyful when a bowl of ice cream is eaten with a big spoon.

Gifts

There's something about giving a gift that pleases the soul. It's intrinsic, especially for those gifts that are so specific to the receiver that none except the giver would understand. Those are the best kind - the inside jokes, the uncovered nostalgia - pieces of the heart of the receiver, wrapped in ribbons of the giver, yet felt far deeper than the package it's placed within.

I would venture to say that giving often fulfills something deeper for the giver than for the one who receives. Fulfillment comes because, most often, the reward is greater than the cost. Seeing a person's face light up or a tear come to his or her eye is priceless - immediately worth more than anything they sacrificed to give that gift.

And giving just feels good - it's as if you're meeting an unspoken need. Gift giving is affirming - adding value to a person, qualifying their character. And to now own something that once belonged to someone else - whether for a minute or for a decade - makes one feel wealthy beyond measure. I think of the little refugee girl who gives her one and only bracelet to the missionary who is rich compared to her. Yet when the missionary slips that bracelet on, proudly wearing a piece of that little girl's heart on her wrist, the child feels wealthier than she ever did wearing it herself.

I'm convinced that we all need to give gifts more often. Encourage people. Be life-giving. It will teach you a lot - and you just might be the one walking away encouraged...