11 results for tag: life lesson

Life Lived and Lessons Learned-6- Ken Williams

At Trader Joe's - Episode six - conclusion: Jesus’ disciples learned to take actions of love while assisting him in his ministry. God in the flesh came to reveal the Triune God of love by his self-giving, self-sacrificing, self-surrendering action of love for all humanity, on his Cross and daily life. The disciples practiced this selfless life by taking actions of love for others. In time Jesus began to rub off on them. An example of God’s heart… “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) An example of the disciple’s hearts ...

Life Lived and Lessons Learned-5- Ken Williams

At Trader Joe's - Episode 5 – preparing and serving samples to large numbers of customers at Trader Joe’s: “When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. “Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’” John 6:5-7 (NRSV) This blog’s example is insignificant compared to what Jesus and his disciples experienced but it came to mind one Saturday afternoon at our Trader Joe’s store, a busier day than ...

Life Lived and Lessons Learned-3- Ken Williams

At Trader Joe's - Episode 3 – learning to honor freedom of choice before “giving”: The holiday season brings the spirit of giving and receiving, and here in upstate New York, some flying snow. Our local Trader Joe’s store stocks up with all the popular seasonal products and prepares to give extra customer attention during what becomes the holiday rush. The holiday mood is created by a combination of falling snow, the cheerful sound of Salvation Army volunteer bell ringers at the entrance, colorful decorations, and traditional music inside. Giving to one another and to the poor is woven within the fabric of the mystery of all this. ...

The Meaning of Life – by Greg Albrecht

In one of my favorite Peanuts cartoon strips, Snoopy the beagle sits on top of his doghouse and forlornly ponders: “Where am I going? What am I doing? What is the meaning of life?”   #1 – we are born, we go to school and then, when we grow up, we hope to get a job. BUT is gaining knowledge and having a job the meaning of life? Teenagers and young adults often feel they will find the meaning of life with someone who will love them forever.   #2 – however, when young people get a little older many get a job, find the love of their life, marry and have children many discover that a career, a marriage and children do not ...

Life Lived and Lessons Learned-2- Ken Williams

At Trader Joe's - Episode 2 – living the golden rule as an employee: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 NIVThis a passage from the Bible is as common as a John 3:16 poster held up during a televised NFL football game. But imagine the difference it would make if more of us believed and lived like Jesus.Sharing mutual respect and kindness with all people is so rare today, that a retail store that practices the “golden rule” stands out, becomes attractive to new customers. Trader Joe’s hires people who like people and are willing to learn how to live ...

Life Lived and Lessons Learned-1 – Ken Williams

At Trader Joe"s Episode 1 – the first of others to come: Some of you may not be familiar with a store chain called Trader Joe’s, so before I share life lived and lessons learned, working nearly seven years as a Trader Joe’s employee, I’ll share a short explanation of the TJ history and how it is distinct from other grocery stores. Describing it merely as another food market and convenience store sells the TJ culture short. Why the name “Trader Joe’s?” How did it grow from one store to over 600 stores across the U.S.? What makes it so popular?So, what was the first store like and why the name “Trader Joe’s”?January 1968, ...

Life, Dirt, Dust, Jesus Part 8 – Ken Williams

Musing on life with Nancy’s and my children has revealed Jesus’ invisible presence when they were growing up. Jesus channeled his love through David and Heather, helping me mature as their father. What have I learned from Michael Edward, our 3rd born? Nancy chose Carol, a midwife, to help her deliver our 3rd child. Nancy’s water broke on Saturday night, August 15. Michael Edward was born on August 16, 1982. With Nancy’s permission, Carol directed our children to help as Michael was being birthed. David cut the umbilical cord, Heather cleaned his nostrils, and I held our swaddled baby boy while Carol helped Nancy. Carol said, “He ...

Life, Dirt, Dust, Jesus Part 6 – Ken Williams

Nancy’s and my grandparents cared for our parents. In time our parents cared for us, their children. The years flew by, and we became parents, caring for our children, and can now observe how they parent their children. I’m elderly and I ponder, “What did my parents feel and what did they think of me?” “What did my children feel and what did they think of me?” Our children are middle-aged, and I’ve heard them discussing some of what it was like being a PK. They share some of their feelings about these sad years of their childhood. It comes up occasionally at gatherings by one asking, “Do you remember…?” The stories are ...

Life, Dirt, Dust and Jesus Part 3 – Ken Williams

What I learned from mom and how I apply her lessons. The saying, “Hurt people, hurt people” is true for my family. We helped and hurt each other. Well intentioned people told me, “Let it go!” I “forgot about it” for years but now ask God for the serenity to accept the things that I could not change. Writing “Life, Dirt, Dust, Jesus Part 1 & Part 2” has comforted me as I recalled the good times with my father. On the other hand, it was humbling and challenging to remember my relationship with my mother. Facing it and seeking to find the good that God made, brings some peace in this mystery of “life, dirt, dust, Jesus”. ...

Making Sense of Life’s Experiences – Stuart Segall

How do we make sense of life? How do life experiences filter our perspectives, conclusions and beliefs? Consider these two affirmations: 1) I grew up liking dogs because my first dog was a special loving experience. 2) I don’t like dogs at all because when I was little, a dog bit me. Which child are you? Our thoughts and choices are deeply influenced by our human experiences, which act as filters through which we perceive and interpret the world. Our past experiences play a significant role in shaping how we perceive and interpret daily life around us. This process is known as perception. We select, organize, and interpret ...

The Field Mouse and Ermine – Ken Williams

Sympathy for the prey AND for the predator: Fifty-two years ago, December 1971, Jesus taught me a life changing lesson while ice fishing in northern Minnesota with a friend. I didn’t grasp the significance of his lesson at that time, but I haven’t forgotten it. Jesus has worked with me until I understand and love the lesson of “The Field Mouse and the Ermine".  My friend and I were dressed warmly but it was only 5° Fahrenheit. It was a still, sunny day but we were standing on 6” of snow on top of solid ice. The bitter cold bit my exposed face and after a couple hours of fishing I jogged back to the path that led to the lake. ...