You grab the first basket and suddenly your hear, “click, rattle, clickety, thump, thump, thump.” You grab another one and same thing so you think, “I’ll just hurry up and deal with it.” And you just can’t seem to find a quiet basket. Annoying!

Something else that doesn’t seem right…In Mascara commercials the models are wearing false eyelashes! I guess we could all have luscious lashes if we put on false ones. No need for Mascara. False eyelashes = false advertising to me.

A friend of mine was dropping off a big amount of cards and letters in the drive through mailbox lane. The lady behind her honked her horn! If that wasn’t bad enough, the lady got out of her car and knocked on her half way down window. She said, “Lady, can you go any slower? Move it along!” To me that is shocking behavior!

My husband cannot drive without talking to other drivers. He goes on and on fussing about stupid drivers. Even if he has nowhere to be and we are not in a hurry, he must voice his disapproval for every driver in his path! This accomplishes nothing but making me roll my eyes. I, myself, think it is impolite if someone doesn’t wave at you when you let their car out in front of you.

Here’s the bottom line… There is an abundance of situations that invite us to be annoyed, grouchy and rude back to rude people. Or you can take the extra effort to pursue peace. I notice a lot of people walk in and out of stores looking at the ground, giving no eye contact. Their chins are down. Because we belong to God he has reached down and lifted our chins to him on many occasions. This lets us know we can lift our faces up and communicate kindness and peace. Romans 12:3 tells us: “Be honest in your estimate of yourself, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.” I make it a conscious goal to speak to every person across my path. Often they are surprised and respond with a smile and a greeting..

God values each of us and the ability that we have been given to have a peaceful attitude. In the same chapter of Romans, verse 12 says, “Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in troubles and always be prayerful.” We have every reason to be content and kind because God has secured our future. Even in very serious situations where you feel helpless, your Father lifts your chin up and says, “I am your God.” He will navigate you through whatever you are experiencing. In Ephesians 3:20 we are assured, “He will do exceedingly, abundantly, beyond what our minds can comprehend or imagine.”

You can choose to be aggravated or you can slow down and an instrument of the peace of our God.

So raise your chin to our heavenly Father, take the everyday aggravations with a grain of salt, and demonstrate the kindness of Jesus Christ. And may your next Walmart basket be a smooth ride.