The Walgreens Lesson (9/1/2023)

Today is September 1st. It’s official. Summer will be ending. Fall and Winter are on their way. So, yesterday, I got myself ready and drove to Walgreens and presented myself for four shots: COVID, flu, pneumonia, and RSV. I was there for quite some time and realized that this is a service we all want to be able to access but it’s a service few want to sign up to provide.

Our local store is hurting for staff as are most businesses in our area, in our country.

As I sat and waited, I saw the parallel between Walgreens and our world. There is so much goodness that we expect and want as individuals in our lives, in our world. We want it to be there for us when we want it and when we need it. But those who are willing to give of themselves to provide, to sign up for living Christ in such a way that the light of Christ illuminates every corner of the world are few. I had to ask myself, honestly, am I one who would, who is?

No, honestly, yesterday as I sat waiting for my shots, I did some serious soul searching. I call myself Christian. But am I truly and perpetually living Christ? Am I a person of prayer who seeks to discern the will of our heavenly Father and then selflessly allows the Spirit to guide me in working for that which the Father wills? Am I a person of loving kindness towards all? Am I capable of true mercy and forgiveness? Do I experience the LORD’s love for all my sisters and brothers? Do I see the face of Christ in those I encounter? Do I serve, truly serve, put on my apron of humility and serve others with love? Do I bring the light of Christ with me? Does my presence illuminate the part of the world I stand in or does it add to the darkness?

Walgreens taught me a lesson yesterday. A good idea remains just an idea until there are those who will work to make it happen. Christ gave His life for ours out of love for the Father and for us. He truly is “the Way and the Truth and the Life.” But Christ himself told us His mission is not yet complete. He told us to pick up our crosses and follow Him. He told us that we are to pick up His mission and take it to the ends of the earth. Who will work to make that happen?

As I sat there, waiting for my shot, I admitted to the LORD that I had gotten it, but I also admitted that “the ends of the earth” are beyond my travel plans. And at that moment, I was called into the little room for my shots. And I felt it. As I sat down, I told the young woman giving me my shots how much I appreciated what she was doing and how I’d recognized how very busy the pharmacy was. Her business face melted. She smiled. She shared how it was hard because they were short staffed and so often people get irritated by a wait. I thanked her for doing what she was doing. And we chatted throughout my shots. As I rose to leave, she said, “Thank you, I needed that.”

May we recognize the potential of our Christian calling in every moment of our journey. May we see the possibilities for bringing Christ to others and others to Christ. May we be willing to do our part in the ongoing mission of Christ so that all our sisters and brothers might have life and have it in abundance. May we pick up the mantle of servant and seek daily to serve our sisters and brothers so that the light of Christ may illuminate their lives.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.