I would like to go on record up front that I am not a mall person. I never
have been, and hopefully I never will be, but since open heart surgery this past
summer I have found myself frequenting them often. I can go years in between
visits, but with 100 degree heat in Albuquerque this summer, we found them a
great place to walk. When the weather is too hot, too wet, or too something, I
find sanctuary in the environs of a roof covered and climate controlled outdoor
sidewalk-which is now indoors. And since it rained just enough yesterday to not
walk, my daily therapy, I took advantage of our local mall on the way to Bible
study. Just some observations, the following is true, and I got no names, so I
have no innocent to protect.
After walking in three different malls this year, the first thing I noted
is they are all the same, all the same mall branded stores. All manned by mall
type people. Which can be scary to me. While walking yesterday the holiday
crowds were out, heavier than I expected on this Thursday morning. The buzz
word here was kiosks, as they were everywhere, which made walking difficult
at times. And using the old idiom sex sells, most were manned-or is it womened,
by young, attractive women, who were very forward trying to get you to stop and
buy something. One girl did get me to stop, a small traffic jam was ahead, and
wanted to know if she could talk to me. "Sure, if you want to walk with me," I
answered, and I was told by her, "Oh, you're not a shopper." What a
compliment! Maybe I should set up a kiosk selling shirts that announce that!
And I counted at least three stores selling the same shirts, why go elsewhere to
be unconvinced?
And some strange kiosks, jewelry. Now why would I buy jewelry from some
street vendor who will be gone after the 24th? How does this make the long time
retail residents feel who have spent big money on renting a storefront? I noted
too many young girls selling perfume, please note we all don't think you smell
good, or even attractive. Most of it is repulsive. I had one guy offer to
clean my tennis shoes, to which I responded "you telling me I have dirty
shoes?" On my return trip he was on the other side to avoid me. But among the
strangest kiosk, was one selling spatulas, metal ones with sports teams engraved
on them-Sportulas! And as they lonely young guy sat reading his Kindle, no one
stopped, although a few of us chuckled. Please note-do not ever give me a
spatula, and I will return the favor. I wonder how that looks on his
resume, retail experience selling spatulas. But one guy I did talk with was
just lonely, so I listened to him, and we ended up talking about check engine
lights, his subject of choice.
He was selling Dell computers, right across from Jamba Juice, and we talked
while watching some toddler, under her mother's watchful eye pull straws off six
juice packs, then put them back, smiling and complimenting her, but not buying
anything. I wasn't sure who needed slapping, the kid or the bimbo mom. We
talked as I waited for my Pumpkin surprise, and I could tell he spent too much
time keeping smoothies from the keyboards, and stupid mothers from letting their
kids touch them. When I asked about sales, he said they were slow-would you
make a major purchase under the watchful eye of some smoothie policeman? He did
say he had sold four, to each one of his parents, and to his step mother and
step father. Sad to increase your customer base through divorce. But just
another day at the kiosk center, aka the mall. If you see an ad for slightly
sticky computers, new, not in the box, check for smoothie damage.
And so it is with the mall culture, like duh, like...fill in your next
exchange yourself. But I marvel as these $8/hour people go to work, hawking
goods that they themselves might not purchase unless given a discount, knowing
that you never tell their families, "hey come by and see where I work." Works
even for extended families through divorce, etc. So I wonder why we are so
reticent to share the gospel sometimes. Not enough pay? No convenient kiosk?
Like, well man, you don't get it. And many never will if you don't look for the
opportunities to share Jesus. In just about any conversation you will get a
chance to show love, and listen. Even while wiping smoothie from your
mustache. And just letting this Dell guy talk, he was relieved. I listened,
and he didn't have to worry about me-he doesn't know me yet. But perhaps if we
took the initiative and trusted God to lead us, we could be more of a blessing.
And blessed. One on one, I'll call it mall witnessing. Which due to a rainy
day again I will be forced inside. And I'll stop to see the Dell guy, share
some love with him. But not my smoothie.
I am going to stop and engage the spatula man, if he doesn't mind having
his Kindle time interrupted. Let him talk, then listen and respond. No
threatening aggressiveness, just some time to let him think about Jesus. How
many times have we looked back and wished we had listened to the urging of the
spirit when talking with someone? Don't let that happen today-let no kiosk get
between you and Jesus.
I still don't like malls, but find them a sanctuary in a storm of heat or
rain. If you do frequent malls, stop and visit. Leave your church mentality at
home, and listen-God will give you a chance to minister. We are not here to
fill churches, that is God's job, we are here to be light in the dark. And
after reading some shirts, and watching people, this is as dark a place as
anywhere. Here's one for you, how about a mall ministry? So let your light
shine, wish them Merry Christmas. They all have something to say-but so do
you. Earn the right to share Jesus, maybe the best reason ever to go to a
mall! We need more of the gospel-take it to a kiosk by you today. And keep
your smoothie to yourself!
Maybe that is why you never see motorcycles parked at the mall!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com