The Grocery Store Line- WWJD

Tina stopped at the grocery store after work, hoping to grab just a few items and get home quickly. She was tired, hungry, and ready to put her feet up.

But when she reached the checkout lanes, every line was long.

She chose the shortest one — behind an elderly woman with trembling hands and a cart full of small, individually bagged items.

Tina exhaled slowly.

Lord… please. Not today.

The woman placed each item on the belt one by one. 
Very slowly. 
Very carefully. 
Very gently.

Then she pulled out a small coin purse and began counting change.

The cashier smiled patiently. 
The people behind Tina sighed loudly. 
Someone muttered, “Come on…”

Tina felt her irritation rising.

*I don’t have time for this. 
Why didn’t she come earlier? 
Why is this taking so long?*

Her foot tapped. 
Her jaw tightened. 
Her thoughts raced.

But then — that familiar whisper.

Pause.

Tina took a breath.

She remembered the question she had been practicing:

What would Jesus do — not in a miracle moment, not in a crowd of thousands, but right here, in a grocery store line where impatience feels justified?

Would He sigh loudly? 
Would He roll His eyes? 
Would He complain? 
Would He make the woman feel like a burden?

No.

Jesus would:
– see her 
– honor her 
– slow down 
– show compassion 
– protect her dignity 

So Tina softened her shoulders.

She stepped forward and said gently, 
“Take your time. You’re okay.”

The elderly woman looked up, surprised. 
Her eyes filled with relief.

“Thank you, dear. My hands don’t work like they used to.”

Tina smiled. 
“It’s alright. We’re not in a rush.”

The cashier’s eyes softened. 
The tension in the line eased. 
The atmosphere shifted.

When the woman finished, she turned to Tina and whispered, 
“You made my day.”

Tina realized she had passed a test no one else recognized — 
but God did.

 SCRIPTURE THAT ANCHORS THE STORY

Galatians 6:2 
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:2 
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Proverbs 19:11 
A person’s wisdom yields patience.

 REFLECTION: “Compassion in Inconvenience”

Inconvenience exposes our character. 
Delays reveal our maturity. 
Slow moments test our grace.

This reflection teaches us that:
– kindness is never wasted 
– patience is a form of love 
– compassion shifts atmospheres 

Jesus always saw the person behind the moment. 
He noticed the trembling hands, the embarrassment, the humanity.

When we choose gentleness in moments where irritation feels justified, we reflect the heart of Christ.

Small kindnesses carry eternal weight.