It’s your choice…be happy or be sad, be glad or be mad, walk through life with a chip on your shoulder or determine to make lemonade or lemon chiffon pie whenever life hands you lemons. You have control over your attitude.

I walked into a little convenience store yesterday and Holy Spirit illuminated something to me that was right in front of my eyes. I could have seen it before, but as it goes sometimes when reading scripture, I can read it a hundred times and never see the truth that is right before me. Maybe that’s because God knows what I need to know today.

On the various times that I’ve been in this store there are two employees that have drawn my attention. I’m sure both of these people have been discriminated against for totally different reasons. Yet, one chose a different path than the other. Without mentioning why someone would judge either, let me tell you a little about each.

Upon walking into the store, I noticed that the first employee was talking to a couple others around the counter. I’m sure they knew them from the tone of the conversation and it was apparent that they weren’t buying anything. After walking through the store and grabbing what I needed, I proceeded to the counter to check out. The clerk barely acknowledged that I was even there and during the whole process, I believe only spoke a couple words to me. They didn’t even tell me the total. Even while scanning the items, they didn’t know the price and seemingly got upset even tho the price was clearly marked. I have had this happen a couple times with the same clerk. I was nice, but not talkative with them and left the store.

Then there’s the other employee. I walk into the store and as long as they’re not busy, I’m immediately greeted with a hello. Throughout the entire shopping experience, I am treated like they want me to shop there.

Now both of these employees have external reasons to be grumpy and I am smart enough to know that anyone can have a bad day but both are consistent in their actions.

Then, it dawned on me. Each of these people have chosen to act that way…one mad at the world for being treated harshly and the other choosing to walk out of their circumstances and enjoy life. One enjoying the lemonade and the other choosing to suck on bitter lemons. And believe me, that is exactly what their facial expressions exhibit.

All of us get hurt. All of us hurt others. Its what we do with that hurt that matters. Think of this, before the betrayal of Christ, he offers Judas a sop of bread. I’ve been told that this was an act of forgiveness. Then, while hanging on the cross, Jesus prays to His Father to forgive them because they don’t know what they’re doing. Holding every sin and every offense, past and future, our Redeemer chooses to forgive and offer grace. Humanity demands justice while love offers grace.

Do not let your hurts and offenses dictate your life. You can’t walk in bitterness and walk in healing at the same time. As my friend tells me, holding onto bitterness and anger is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. Forgive that person that you are holding onto with anger. Release that person and yourself and walk in wholeness.

…Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve,…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24.15