Right and Wrong. Is it an outdated idea?

I was at work tonight (Giant Tiger) and there was a line-up. As I served one customer, I listened/watched another customer and her 2 children that were next in line. The mom said something and her daughter disagreed with her. When they got to my cash, I confirmed what the mother had said by saying to her daughter (who was no more than 7 or 8), "yeah, your mom was right!" The girl looked at me, and in all seriousness said "There is no such thing as right and wrong." Her mom was surprised and said "Yes there is! There is right and wrong." The girl argued with her back and forth, but since I was on the clock and the mother didn't seem to want my opinion, I didn't offer it. But I did think about it for the rest of the night.

Why do people think that there is no right and wrong? Is it just because they don't want to be responsible to the Person who set the standards of right and wrong? Is it because they don't like the right and wrong? And why does a 7 year old think that there is no right and wrong? She had a brother--surely her parents had told her that she wasn't allowed to hurt her brother. She isn't allowed to go to school and do whatever she wants. I'm sure she would claim "it's not fair that __________", which implies that she knows when things aren't right.

So yeah, there has to be rights and wrongs. We may interpret those a little bit differently, but there are rights and wrongs. And when we interpret within the framework of God's Word, (when we do what we do to please Him), we are going to see that there are very definite rights and wrongs. Very clearly, God has given us guidance and direction. You can't really deny that "Thou shalt not steal" gives room for discussion on right and wrong. God has given us rights and wrongs.

So my next question that I thought over was "Do those rights and wrongs change?" In different cultures, there may be different standards. Over time, things change. Simple example: 150 years ago, it was wrong and completely unacceptable for a woman in a European/American culture to wear pants. Now, it's perfectly acceptable. (If you don't wear pants, you can't deny that it is acceptable for women to wear them in general society. I'm not saying it's wrong not to wear pants--you get my point). Styles have changed. People view fashion differently. But while the style has changed, the principle of modesty haven't changed. God still wants us to be pure in thoughts and actions--150 years ago, the best way for a woman to do this was viewed as wearing skirts and tons of clothes. Now, many people think that a woman can dress modestly in a pair of loose-fitting slacks.

I'm rambling. I've been up for a lot of hours and working for a long time. But you get my point. Scriptures clearly show us that there are rights and wrongs, established by God, since the garden of Eden. Even before sin, God gave Adam and Eve things they could and couldn't do. They had to take care of the garden, name the animals, etc. These were right. The wrong was eating the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

The beautiful thing about it all is that because there are standards of Right and Wrong, there is Someone who set those standards. And He set those standards because He loves us. He wants us to be protected--because He loves us. He wants us to be safe.

One final thought. In Scripture, we are told that we are saved to do right. We are given freedom in Christ to do right. The unsaved people can't choose to do right. They automatically do wrong. They can't help it. We are given freedom to obey Christ. Which is so totally cool.

God is so good. And we are SOOOOO blessed.

How to win "Worst Customer of the Year" award

I'm taking a break from the more serious tone of this blog. Next post will be right back to usual. Today is a little "venting" if you will. Or, we could call it just being informative. Because people want to know.

Want to know what? You ask inquisitively.

I'm so glad you asked. I'm going to tell you how to win the  "Worst Customer of the Year" award. (Trophy pictured below)

Isn't it pretty? It seems like there are a lot of people out to win it this year. The competition is fierce--so you'll have to follow all the steps listed below. (I've worked in food service since I was 14--7 years, and now I work in retail as well. The stories I could tell--goodness. I'll try to tell a few below). I really think that some people need to think before they walk into a store. I told my mother that the wizard of oz could make a killing selling brains in front of my work place. (Note: The following list isn't in any particular order. The more you do, the greater chance you have of winning this award).

1. Re-pack you bags. After they are all full, take everything out and hold up the line behind you. They don't mind waiting while you re-do everything. (BTW, I'm OCD--your bags will be packed in a certain order). 

2. Give me your reusable bags after I have all your stuff in plastic bags. I don't mind taking everything out and putting it in your own bags. And the people behind you don't mind waiting either. They have nothing better to do. In fact, if you ask nicely, they may give you extra votes for this award! 

3. Scan your own items. Reach around, grab my scanner and scan your own loaf of bread. It's not like I get paid for that--and I love having stuff grabbed out of my hand.

4. Argue with me. Then another cashier. Then my supervisor. Then the manager. Then the owner. Eventually, you may find someone who can help you. If that doesn't work, try calling the president. 

5.Talk on your phone. Or text. Then glare at me when I try to ask you a question. It doesn't matter if it's rude. I'm not important.

6. Complain about the prices. Or the product we have. Or don't have. Or the color of the walls. Or anything else I have no control over.

7.Don't talk to me. When I ask you a question, stare blankly at me. I love feeling like I am talking to myself.

8. Assume I know everything about everything, and where it all is.

9. Assume I have used every product on the shelves. Even though I have no tattoos, I have tried out the "tattoo rejuvenating cream"--it works really well. And is worth the money. The same with the ashtray.

10. Forget your money and ask me to hold the line while you run out to the car for your wallet.

11. Let your kids scream bloody murder and run around like wild animals. You get bonus points if they pull things off shelves and destroy things.

12. If you have a cartful of items, please let your child unload each item one at a time. I have all day, and I would love to spend it watching your 3-year-old struggle getting everything up on the belt. 

13. It IS appropriate to pay for your order in nickels. No matter what you say, I still have to count it out--and if your order is over $0.50, you get bonus points. 

14. Search for exact change. Look under the conveyer belt. And on the floor. Dump out the contents of your purse to find the extra $2.75.

15. Leave your empty cart in front of my cash so the next person has to move it. Or I have to move it. I know it would really kill you to push it 10 feet away. We wouldn't want your life to be too strenuous.

16. Eat/drink products before paying. It's not a grocery store--it's a buffet! Help yourself. And if you don't like something, feel free to leave whatever is left on the shelf.

17. Cut in line. You are the most important person here--more important than anyone else.

18. Give me dating advice. 

19. Assume that my love-life is any of your business. Ask me out, ask for my phone number. Offer to pick me up from work. Call me dear, honey, babe, sweetheart, or any other such name. I've been looking for Prince Charming, and I hope he comes through my cash some day. That's how I've always dreamed of meeting him.