A few weeks ago I went to a store to exchange a product, even though I could not find the receipt. First the cashier and then the manager treated me rudely, and we got into an argument. When I got home, I felt so upset that I was going to file a complaint on the store’s website.

Before I could do that, however, my wife came in and asked me to help her carry some packages. I remembered “whatever you do to the least….” She was the Jesus I needed to love in that moment, so I stopped what I was doing to help her.

When I returned to the computer I realized that filing a complaint against the cashier and manager would be filing a complaint against Jesus –“whatever you do to the least….” So I stopped. And then, when I did find the receipt, I was tempted to take it to a different branch to avoid seeing that cashier and manager. But a little voice inside was urging me to go back to the store where I had been that morning and apologize. This was my chance to live "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day or the hour" (Mt 25:13). I felt that the real problem I needed to solve was restoring the damaged relationship, so I did go back. I knew I had better hurry in case they changed shifts and the manager and cashier would no longer be there.

At the store, I went straight to the manager and sincerely asked to apologize. I could tell by her glowing face that she was happy and appreciated that I came back. Then again, when I reached the register, I apologized to the cashier. He accepted it happily. However, when he scanned my receipt, it turned out that I had purchased the product three months ago, past the return period. Even though I was not able to exchange the product, I left the store happy because I had received a far more important satisfaction. I had exchanged our negative situation for peace among us.

DC, Chicago