Not Forgotten

I was blessed today as I read Isaiah 49:14-15 -- But Zion said, the Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Sometimes I feel down, like I've been forgotten. What a blessing to be reminded that, although even a parent may forget a child, my God will never forget me or forsake me!

An Irrational Customer

Often at Walmart, we are confronted by angry, irrational customer; but the one I faced today had to have been one of the craziest I've seen yet. He was pleasant enough as I was ringing up his purchases. He paid with cash, and as I was putting his money in the drawer and getting his change, he asked if I could give him some tens for some twenties.

We don't usually give change at the registers, but when my drawer is already open, I don't mind giving change, if I have it. Unfortunately, I didn't have any tens at all. I didn't offer to exchange them for fives because I was very low on those as well. When I either don't already have my drawer open or I am low on change, I refer the customers to the CSM station where they can usually get the change they want. Today, I was at register 16 which, in my store, is quite near the CSM podium, and a CSM happened to be standing there. I pointed her out to my customer and told him, very politely, that he could go to her for the change he wanted.

Well, that just wasn't good enough! He was going out the other door and didn't want to walk a few feet in the other direction in order to get his change. I tried to explain that it really was the easiest way to get change at any time, but he exploded and started ranting that I should be able to give him change since I had my drawer open anyway. I reiterated that I was sorry, but I just didn't have any tens, and I couldn't help him.

So, spewing out his frustrations, he headed toward the door; and I turned toward my next customers who had observed the whole scene. They shook their heads and commented that they didn't understand why he couldn't take time to go to the CSM podium, yet he was taking plenty of time to complain about me to the door greeter. I turned and looked, and sure enough, he was down there raving, demanding to see a manager.

As soon as I finished with that couple, I went to the CSM podium and explained to the CSM about the situation. She went to the door to talk to the man, but he refused to speak to her and again demanded to see a manager.

In the meantime, I continued waiting on the customers in my line, trying to ignore the irrational man who had tried to disrupt my peace of mind. After a little while, one of the Assistant Managers came over to me and said, "I told him I would speak to you, so I've spoken to you. It's over now."

I learned later from the door greeter that he had asked for my full name, demanded that I be reported to the home office, and declared that he would be calling the home office to make sure I had been. I'm sure if the home office was contacted about the situation I would be commended for doing my job. What a nut case!!

Visiting Family

Yesterday, Sam and I got to visit with family, and we had a great time. We started out by driving to Pike County, KY, for a family reunion on my mom's side. There were lots of people there, and I knew less than half of them. The people were descendants of my great-grandfather "Squire" Jack Tackett. Here is his picture in the center of this cake my Aunt Aline made:



When we left the reunion, we went to Mom's grave for a few minutes. I know she's not really there, yet I feel closer to her when I go there. I feel like I can talk to her, and she will actually hear me. It's a great comfort.



After that, we drove down to Middlesboro, KY, to visit with one of my cousins on my dad's side of the family. Jerry, who lives in Tulsa, OK, was there for work. It had been over 7 since I'd seen him. My buddy Cindy met us there, and we had a GREAT time, eating, talking, and laughing ... lots and lots of laughing!



Sam got to go swimming in the pool at the hotel. Cindy and I sat there watching Sam and Jerry diving in. Cindy got some great pics, and I'm hoping to get to post some of those on here at some point.

We didn't get back home until after midnight. We were worn out but happy.

Psalm 27

1) The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2) When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stunbled and fell.
3) Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4) One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.
5) For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavillion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.
6) And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
7) Hear, OLord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8) When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
9) Hide not Thy face far from me; put not Thy servant away in anger: Thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
11) Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12) Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13) I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14) Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.