The angry yells of a customer were heard throughout Arby’s. A car in the drive through lane was not happy at their order and the cashier at the window was getting the brunt of the verbal onslaught.

The manager came forward to try to de-escalate the situation, but the opposite happened and then the cursing started.

Next, we witnessed the quick reflexes of the cashier as he slammed the window shut as the Arby’s beef and cheese sandwich thudded against the window. The cheesy, greasy sandwich slid down the window to the pavement.

The man honked, yelled a few more obscenities and aggressively drove off. They flew through the parking lot, made a right turn on the main road without stopping and almost hit another car.

The outburst seemed a bit dramatic for accidentally receiving the wrong order. I wondered what might have been below the surface for the customer to act so brazenly. Were they simply having a bad day? Did they have some loss or fears which came true?

I was definitely judgmental and angry with the customer.  Mostly, because the cashier at Arby’s drive through window who received the verbal lashing was my teenage son.

While this happened a few years ago, I still wish I to erase the bad things that happen to my kids. I felt helpless that I cannot protect my kids from the world. They are growing up and must go in their own way. Pandemics have happened; tornadoes have torn through our neighborhood and people have been unkind to them. I can provide a loving embrace and a kind word, but I cannot solve every problem.

May every sandwich slinger remember there’s a human on the other side of the window. There’s a human at the customer service desk, or a server at a restaurant, or a new driver like my daughter on the road.

I don’t expect perfect outcomes, but I pray for softened hearts.

I pray we pause before we throw our words (or sandwiches) around.

I pray we have the wisdom to remember that frustration doesn’t justify cruelty.

And I pray we remember that every window, every counter, every road holds someone’s beloved.

May we choose kindness even when we are frustrated and angry.

And may we teach our children that even in a chaotic world, love remains our truest reflex.

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Thought, Word and Deed. A newsletter by Katie Rea.