Self checkout

Don't use the self checkout at Walmart. At least not on New Year's Eve...

So I'm standing there, waiting to pay for my THREE (yes, 3) items in the self checkout lane (doesn't it make sense to use the self checkout for SMALL quantities of groceries?) and I have the unfortunate luck of getting behind two other customers with cartsful of groceries. As each item is slowly dragged across the red light, the computer prompts the customer to "place item in bagging area". You may have realized in your own shopping experiences that if you fail to place the item in the bagging area IMMEDIATELY, or if the machine does not SENSE you placing the item in the bagging area- you may NOT proceed. At that point, the little green light at the top of the pole turns red and we are now waiting for the Walmart employee to come over and "unstick" the machine. You may have also noted during your trips to Walmart that there is only one Walmart employee to service about 4-6 self checkout stations. What I'm getting at here is that the service is anything but immediate...all I can think about is how idiotic these people are. I mean, how hard is it to swipe your barcode and put the can of corn in the bag? You'd think this were rocket science or something. Perhaps we should start requiring those wishing to use the self checkout to show proof of a college diploma first...

What is perhaps more upsetting about this whole shopping experience is the following:
WHY DOES IT BOTHER ME SO BAD?
Is it really that much skin off my back to have to wait an extra 5 minutes to pay for my package of diapers and wipes?
Am I so important that I have to always be the first one in line? After all, I could have chosen to go to the "full service" line if I wanted to, right?

James said we must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. I'm not sure I was angry with the people in front of me, or just irritated. But why? The truth is that in my heart of hearts I count myself greater and others as lesser. Especially if the others don't look like me or dress like me. This is secret pride in its most authentic form.

To be like Christ I have to learn to put others first and make myself last. I have to think about the other guy, not just myself. I have to practice humility. I have to be brought low. I have to think so little of me that I automatically- instinctually- give preference to my neighbor when faced with a choice. Lord, make it so.