When I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I didn’t realize my work would be such a

challenge and lifelong journey. At the time, I was pompous and self-opinionated. Through the

years, God has softened my heart, and I’ve tried to be a better, more compassionate person.

One of the Ten Commandments is to love one another as God loves us. Being in retail, I’m

exposed to many stressful situations. In my previous incarnation, I’d handle shoplifters with a

heavy hand, no compassion or grace. I even had a holding area while I waited for the police.

Today, not so much. I’m more inclined to let the shoplifter go, even give them food if their

situation warrants it.

I thank God he’s allowed me to be more in tune with my heart. At times, I still revert back to my

previous self, but most times, I’m able to check myself: “Am I being a Light?” For how I handle

myself will be how I’ll be judged.

As I mature in Christ, I find my decisions based in the Holy Spirit rather than from a secular

viewpoint. I still have a long ways to go, but with God’s grace, he’ll mold me into a better

Christian.