All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). – Matthew 1:22-23

I’m working my first retail job and I’ve discovered a new conversation:

Yesterday the Christmas rush exhausted me. “I’m right there with you!” a friend said.

A customer told me she had worked retail for many years. “It’s so frustrating when people mess everything up!” she said. “I’m right there with you!”

Later I did some shopping of my own:

I asked an associate for a price check. “My price gizmo is broken…” she said, frustrated.

“Right there with you!” I told her. “Mine broke this morning.” (Which is a pretty big deal three days before Christmas).

I asked the busy young woman at the register, “How are you?  I work retail… I know how it is.” She told me about her hours and her young son who is taking his first steps. She was afraid she might miss something.

“Right there with you,” I told her. “You know, though…the best part about this age is every day they do something new.” At that, she could smile.

Right there with you. Somehow, everything changes when you know you are not alone.

“…and they will call him Immanuel.. (which means ‘God right there with you’).”

 

PS – A kind word to a retail worker this time of year goes a long way! Love on ’em. They are doing their very best to help you.