Change Shoes (05/14/2024)

The LORD sends others into our lives for a reason. Sometimes we’re meant to be mentors; other times, we’re meant to be mentored. I’ve been blessed over the years by so many wise and caring mentors who have taught me secrets for the journey. Just this week I was reminded of one and of her wisdom as I stood in line at a local pharmacy and watched someone deal savagely with a clerk. I was about to step forward to defuse when the person abruptly turned and left. The clerk looked at me wide-eyed, I suspect half expecting me to pile on. And I remembered my friend’s advice: change shoes. I stepped up, smiling and as kindly and authentically as possible said, “On behalf of all of us you serve, I apologize for what just happened.” And the clerk’s face told me everything as her sadness turned to joy. “How may I help you?” she asked sincerely.

“Change shoes” my friend had told me. When I find myself in a situation where I may be frustrated or even angry, mentally put on the shoes of the other and try to feel what she is feeling, try to see what he is seeing, try to recognize what the other needs in the moment rather than what I need. Doing so may lead to both of us reaching our hoped-for destination sooner and happier.

At the pharmacy, I recognized an overworked, underappreciated service person who was trying her best. I responded by acknowledging her efforts and apologizing for the insensitivity of the person who had just been so unkind. Two things happened in that moment. The clerk was comforted and even affirmed, and I realized I needed to be sensitive to those who are serving me as part of their job. Her mood improved; my recognition of the impact of my behavior and my accountability for that behavior improved.

I’ve been blessed through the years. I’ve served as a maid, a waitress, a clerk, supervisor, a teacher, community welcomer, a salesperson. I’ve filled the shoes of a mom, a volunteer, a neighbor, a friend. And so, often when I need to change shoes, I sort of know the territory of the one I’m changing shoes with. But in those moments when I don’t, such as with an officer, an airplane steward, a nurse, I use the imagination the LORD gave me. And I’ve found that it really isn’t job specific, it’s human specific – we all want respect and to be treated kindly.

There are plenty of opportunities out there for us to practice my friend’s advice. Let’s consider it. My friend had a good mentor, herself; our loving Savior was her source of wisdom. He said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

 We humans won’t go wrong if we simply treat others always as we ourselves wish to be treated.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.