I struck up a conversation this morning with a Target employee as he was busily restocking the toilet paper shelves. (Arriving to the store earlier than normal, I was hoping to beat the rush. I found out that didn’t make much of a difference.) Anyway, this employee was having a difficult time maneuvering through the maze of people. Our conversation went like this:

Me: “I imagine this isn’t your most favorite part of your job.”

Target Guy: “Actually, some of us like retail.”

Me: “I can understand that. But, what I mean is dealing with the madness of toilet paper flying off the shelves and moving through this maze of people probably isn’t your favorite part of your job.”

Target Guy: “Well, we’ve received a truck of 25 pallets of toilet paper today. And that’s just today. We get some every day. We aren’t going to run out.”

Me: “Really? That’s good to know. Is it always this busy this early in the morning?”

Target Guy: “It’s like Black Friday here every morning since last week. People are waiting to get in outside, and when the doors are first opened, they run to get the items they need.”

Me: “Run? Are you serious?”

Target Guy: “Yes, ma’am. They run. It’s interesting, that’s for sure!”

Of all the places I traveled to this morning, the Target Guy was the most positive person I saw doing his job. Not one negative word came from his mouth. Not one eye roll escaped from his face. No negative action came from this man restocking toilet paper.

I want to be more like the Target Guy.

Even when times are uncertain. Even when life gets a bit turned upside-down, I want to be positive, uplifting, and smiling. To maybe make another person’s day a bit brighter and load a little lighter. (Even if she is buying a pack of toilet paper.) I want to be a blessing as the Target Guy was for me this morning. He wasn’t doom and gloom. He helped me forget about this pandemic for a moment as He brightened my day. So much so, I guess I’m writing about him today.

This reminds me of a prayer I adapted from another and wrote years ago.

Lord, Help Me Be A Blessing Today

Lord, help me be a blessing today.

Help me to lessen the load of others.

Equip me to encourage, and cue me to show compassion.

Where I can, help me walk alongside of those who need a friend, with a listening ear, and a helping hand.

Help me to not add to the burden of any person, in any way.

Allow me to voice words of sympathy, sorrow, and caring.

Help me to also speak blessings, compliments, and congratulations wherever I’m able.

Give me a heart to comfort and not compare, and to serve without strife.

Lord, open my eyes to the ones who feel invisible.

Allow me to see those who aren’t seen.

May I notice those who feel unnoticed.

Lead me to love without conditions, believe the best in others, and shine your light to everyone I meet.

I pray others see Jesus in me today.

In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

–Julie Lefebure

Yes, I want to be a blessing and not a burden.

To notice the unnoticed. To believe the best in others and not the worst. And most importantly, to shine bright for Jesus every single day. Lord, please help me to do this.

So, according to the Target Guy, they aren’t going to run out of toilet paper. If you need some, they’ll likely have another truck arriving tomorrow. Just don’t run when you get inside the doors, please.

And if you see the Target Guy, tell him hello from the woman to tried to chat his ear off in the toilet paper aisle yesterday morning.

God bless you, friend!