I recently ordered two neon coral and aqua custom trucker hats inspired by my new book, with the words “UNPLUG” in all caps (hint, hint). I debuted the coral one in public at Costco for the first time today, and I was eager to see if anyone would notice. It was a bold move, but I fully embraced it.
This hat is also becoming a reminder to slow down, look people in the eye, smile, and savor the present moment. I’ve promised myself that anytime I wear it, I can’t look at my phone but commit to being fully present.
Even though Costco was a circus, with Thanksgiving three days away, I welcomed the chaos and used it as an opportunity to overcome my hurry-sickness. I walked slowly and, for one of the first times, didn’t collide with another cart or hit someone in the heels with mine.
As I neared the aisle with nuts and snack bars, I grabbed a sample of a honey and maple granola bar and smiled at the guy handing them out.
“Hello,” I said. “Thank you for the sample, Roger.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied. “Tell me about your hat. There must be a story behind it.”
I laughed and said, “Well, I wrote a book about unplugging from social media and living your life to the fullest.”
He asked more questions, and I shared that the book is about unplugging and finding joy and reconnecting with God.
“Well, you exude joy. You are radiant. There is something different about you.”
“That is so kind of you to say,” I said. I guess it’s just Jesus shining through me. Any good in me is God in me. There was a time in my life when I didn’t have joy and didn’t even want to live anymore.” Intrigued, he began to ask more questions about myself.
That was the start of our twenty-minute conversation right there next to the macadamia nuts and Rx protein bars. I ended up sharing my testimony of how God saved me from depression and about the day I gave my life to Him. I was able to share the best news in the world with him and invited him to read about Jesus for himself in the Gospels. He shared with me that he has been sober for twenty years and hasn’t had any alcohol or pot since.
“You made my day,” he said with tears in his eyes.
It was a precious and divine encounter I would never have had without that crazy hat and my intentionality to seize whatever God had in store for me during my trip to Costco. Instead of being in a hurry after some social pleasantries were exchanged, I paused, looked him in the eye, and gave him my time and attention. I confess this is becoming a new intentional practice, but it shouldn’t.
For those of us who follow the ways of Jesus, this should be our MO. I’m finding peace and joy the more I slow down and disconnect from the digital world. I’ve realized that I don’t need to conform to the world’s frenzied pace. The decision is mine. As always, God invites us into a better, though unpopular, way of life. It’s a way of life that restores our souls.
As we bumped elbows before we went our separate ways, Roger snuck me a granola bar, which I quickly stuffed into my purse. “Don’t tell anyone,” he said. This is just to say thanks for making my day.”
