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Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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We're glad you chose to visit with us today! Sonkist Ministries is simply an outreach to people who are trying to live healthy, satisfied lives and strive toward their fullest potential!
The foundation for a balanced, fulfilled life begins with understanding that you really are a special creation - not some blob of material that just "happened" into existence. Being unique, however, means that you will have different strengths, weaknesses, preferences, dislikes, goals, dreams - and even quirks - than anyone else on the planet!
Yet as unique as you are, you will definitely share some commonalities with your neighbors, friends and family members. In fact, as we've worked with children, teenagers, and adults over the past twenty years, we have discovered an interesting phenomenon. No matter what their age, social status, educational background or cultural experiences, all individuals are curious about two basic questions:
*Who am I?
*What am I supposed to be doing with my life?
We believe that the answers to these - and all of life's most challenging questions - can really be found. No matter what your past has been like, you can have a fabulous future! If you're depressed because people have let you down, or you have personal or professional issues that cause you to struggle on a regular basis, you can make positive changes to improve these dilemmas. Perhaps you are anxious due to all the pressures of living in today's world. Maybe you're dealing with family problems, and it seems that there's no one to guide you through these trying times.
Here at Sonkist Ministries we believe there is help - and hope - for a better tomorrow . . . and that this future begins with the choices that you make today! We'd like to assist you as you start living that better, brighter future. Won't you take a little more time to investigate how you can get in touch with the real you and see what amazing possibilities are awaiting you?
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“The Bagger”
I first noticed him while I stood in line behind a few customers at the grocery store, and my heart sank. The older man, hunched over a large brown bag, was filling it with someone else’s groceries. He was the bagger! Had he lost his job? Was he trying to make ends meet in this economy by picking up extra work? What had happened to bring him this state in life?
By the time I reached the checkout stand, I realized this man – The Bagger – was much older than I had originally thought. He had to be at least seventy!
Crinkling lines moved in an upward wave as he smiled into by bewildered eyes.
“Good morning, young lady,” his voice crackled pleasantly. “Looks like you’ve got a lot of things to put away later.”
And happily, whistling to himself, The Bagger went to work on my groceries.
Once I’d paid the cashier and my basket had been carefully refilled with his handiwork, The Bagger kindly asked, “Do you need any help out to your car?”
I quickly surveyed his frail, elderly body. I had experienced some difficulty maneuvering my full cart to the checkout line, so I couldn’t imagine him pushing it through the parking lot.
“Oh no, thank you for asking,” I replied with a weak smile, feeling so sorry for The Bagger, wishing I could slip him some money without anyone else noticing.
I thought about The Bagger throughout the week, and then I looked for him on my next excursion to the grocery store. Sure enough, there he was at the end of Lane 5, smiling and talking to a customer as he loaded up her bags. I waited patiently, surprised at my eagerness to get some piece of information about this man. Maybe I could ask the checker if The Bagger moved away from the lane for a few minutes.
But he didn’t. Instead he worked diligently as he loaded my canned foods, milk and eggs that came down the conveyer belt. Then The Bagger glanced up and gave me a grin.
“Hello! So nice to see you here again! Are you having a good day?”
“Yes,” I answered, surprised by his recollection of me. I mean, how many people must he see in a day – let alone a week?
“Well, I notice your cart isn’t quite as full today, but I’ll still help you to your car if you need me to!” he said heartily.
“No thanks,” I replied. It was raining outside, and I’m sure the last thing The Bagger needed was to get sick. At his age, a cold might turn into pneumonia!
“Alright then,” he gave me a friendly wave goodbye as I maneuvered my cart past him. “I’ll look forward to seeing you next week!”
I rolled away slowly, perplexed by The Bagger’s joy despite his menial job and mundane routine each day. As I did so, I heard him greet the customer who’d been behind me with the same jolly tone. Then, The Bagger’s familiar whistle trailed after me as I exited the store.
Weeks went by, and each visit to the grocery store I tried to end up in The Bagger’s lane. I was still curious about the circumstances that led him to Vons Grocery Store of all places, but I also had begun to look forward to his engaging smile and upbeat conversation.
One day, a few months after I first met The Bagger, the clerk had to step away from the cash register for a few minutes. This gave me the chance to finally slip in a question.
“So,” I began cautiously, “what brought you here – I mean, to work here?”
Well, it wasn’t very subtle, but at least I finally got to the heart of what had been troubling me for so long.
“Oh young lady, I’ve had quite an interesting life!” The Bagger began with a chuckle. He leaned in toward me and lowered his voice to a near-whisper. “You see, I once was in the publishing business, and that led me into travels all over the globe. You might know a few of the books I helped publish . . .”
The Bagger named off a half-dozen or so, two of which I remember reading in college! So, he’d had a career – and a good one it sounded like. But still, why was he here in this place – at a time in his life when he should be enjoying a pleasant retirement?
As if The Bagger could read my mind, he continued, “But you know, I don’t believe that we were created to simply stop working one day, sit at home in front of the television, or golf away the golden years of our lives. I believe the good Lord wants me out among His people, helping in some way. Even if it’s just to share a smile and try to make one person’s day brighter, then I’m fulfilling God’s purpose for my being here!”
The Bagger leaned back, smiled brightly, and added, “I can tell some people feel sorry for me, but if they only knew how happy I am, they’d probably want to try bagging groceries too.”
The checker had returned, so I slid my credit card and signed the slip of paper she handed me. Before I walked away, I thanked The Bagger for all of his help. He merely winked at me and nodded knowingly.
I don’t recall what I bought that day, but I remember how full my heart felt long after I left the store! You see, The Bagger taught me a valuable lesson: life is the most joyful when I take each day that God’s given me and try my best to glorify Him in it!
“Not that I was ever in need, but I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything, I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”
Philippians 4:11-13
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“ . . . be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.’ That is why we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”
Hebrews 13:5b-6
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