It was a day like any other. Hot, of course, as July had reached its peak in soaking up the sun that everyone around simply knew as Kentucky’s Summer; It was busy, as we all know the best cure to heat is three swirls of ice cream in a cone; and it was hectic, because in case you have yet to figure it out, I work at the fast-food industry of McDonald’s.
As a crew member working at McDonald’s since entering my senior year of high school, I can tell you from a personal point of view that this job affiliation is tough, but this job is so worth it. I never saw myself working behind a cash register repeating, “Hello, How can I help you?” for three years of my life, nor did I ever dream of gaining the knowledge I’ve gained from the experiences shared among the people I’ve met and made friendships with, both behind the counter with me and those on the opposite side.
I can’t say it wasn’t difficult to stay committed to, because multiple forms of miscommunication, misinterpretations, and misrepresentation at any job one cares about is discouraging at times, and can be overwhelming, to say the least. Just as the words themselves say, I often found myself “missing” something of importance as a worked towards bettering myself when I lacked in understanding how I could have done more, worked harder, or tried something different. I’m well aware that we all feel this in a variety of times and trials throughout our own lives, too.
While reading through my bible on a night after these feelings had taken place, I skimmed over these words, only to find them not only relatable but uplifting in the days that would come:
"Whatever House you enter, first say “Peace be to this House.” -Luke 10:5
You may be reading this and thinking, “How does this relate to anything concerning work?” Trust me, at the time my eyes crossed this I was thinking the same thing. But, later, the house became somewhat of a representation to me, meaning “that point in our lives.”
For some, they are at that point in our lives where experiencing a time of developing the skills (and patience) it takes to prepare for the long lists of state tests, dual-credit courses, college visits, and scholarship applications is the main, and only for most, priority to achieve like one of my younger sisters as she takes on her Junior Year of high school (Now everyone is either reminiscing about that year now that it is over or cheering you on, Alyssa!). Maybe you’re at that point in your life where the security of a job is no longer available and what seemed so much of a normal routine turns into a schedule of unknown chaos. Or maybe you’re doing just fine, in between the realms of “it could be worse” and wondering what it’s going to take so that “it could be better.”
At times, especially during work for me and this past week as the first of this semester’s exams took place, I felt as though I was in a relationship with the world and those that were a part of it were a constant heart breaker throughout my life, putting myself down because of the effects this had on me.
As individuals, couples, a community, a country, and a world, we have the ability to walk into these houses encouraging peace as well as setting an example of that in how we choose to live our lives.
It’s easy to focus on picking out the problems that come our way and blame someone.
Let’s pick up the problems and put the pieces together, picking peace.
The world may be a heart breaker but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a peace maker.
* * * * *
It was that hot day in July when the pieces fit together and I was reminded to pick peace. A woman came to the front counter, at which I was taking orders at the time. It had nothing to do with what she ordered, but what she was representing in the way she presented herself. She entered that point in her life, sharing with me a part of her mission towards peace, as she wore a vibrant colored shirt that read, “I am a Voice for Change.” I was drawn to what this meant to me in that moment, as well as when I later found out what it meant to her.
This was one of the many designed shirts this woman and a group of her friends decided to create and build a brand off of to support peace to those who have been affected due to their sexuality preferences, as well as those who were affected by the shooting in Orlando, Florida this summer (for more information, please visit EmbodyProgress.org). It wasn’t about whether or not she was personally victimized. She wasn’t. It wasn’t about standing up for a subject that she whole heartedly agreed in, either. She didn’t. It was about having the desire to do something with what she was capable of to remind us all that we’re in this together. To maintain life in this place, we have to put our priority on the people that we share this world with. We have to put peace before problems. We have to find purpose in pursuing these things, no matter the house we enter or when.
After ordering and receiving her food, I acknowledged this customer for what she was doing and encouraged her to continue doing so. It wasn't until later that evening, after she had finished her meal and what I had then assumed she'd left, she entered through the same glass doors and made her way up to the counter, this time acknowledging my interest and encouraging me to pass the peace with a shirt similar to hers.
We can pass the peace together.
One prayer at a time.
One picture at a time.
One person at a time.
One t-shirt at a time.
Whatever it is, whatever it may be. It is the time.
Pick Peace.
