As a customer service associate, she wasn’t that service-oriented as she silently and sullenly scanned my groceries at the checkout on New Year’s Eve. As I got ready to leave, I remarked, “Let’s hope next year is better than this year.” This year had been yet another year of social unrest and pandemic-related turmoil. “Yes,” she replied. “I lost my stepdad two days before Christmas.” She went on to share the pain her family was going through.

It just goes to show that we never really know what’s going on in people’s lives that influences their words, attitudes, and actions. This young woman was just getting through the day, faithfully showing up for a thankless job of serving often thankless people. She needed some love and compassion.

If anyone knew how to show love to the unlovable, it was Jesus. He told his disciples: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34,35). This wasn’t a friendly suggestion or something to check off and forget on our to-do lists. This was a command from our Savior for how we are to treat others.

Crabby customer service person? Show her love.

Jerk who cut you off on the freeway? Show him love.

Family member who always says the wrong thing? Show her love.

After all, we have been shown the greatest and most undeserved love of all.