Have you ever stopped to think about how little it actually takes to acknowledge and encourage another person? This has come to my attention through a couple little incidents that occurred in the last few days.
In my job, there are many customers that I speak with on a regular basis, but have never met face to face. A couple weeks ago, I was reading an obituary, and recognized the name of a woman I worked with when I was a teenager. One of her daughters turned out to be one of my customers. I hesitated to give my condolences because I thought maybe that would be considered strange or maybe unprofessional. But today, I decided to speak up. I said that I read in the paper that her mother had passed away, that I remembered her mom from when I worked with her many years ago. I was really surprised with the reaction I received: this lady was so touched and pleased that I had remembered her mother!
Well, this showed me that when I feel that I would like to acknowledge something that someone is going through, I should just do it! I wonder how many times The Lord has put someone in my path, and I have totally missed my opportunity to show love to that person.
The other incident involved Del and his new parttime job as a cab driver. Much of his job involves driving people who are not in shape to drive themselves to bars or casinos, or back home. One of his fares got in the cab, and in the course of the conversation stated that he didn't feel comfortable at the bar because he had taken meth. I don't know how the conversation went, but when the guy got out of the cab, he gave Del his tip, and said, "I appreciate that you listened to me and didn't judge me." We, who are Christians, always want to help people, and sometime we "help" by casting our judgements on others. We've all done it. But, that night, Del's witness to a young man who called himself an atheist, was acceptance. What a small thing that was, but somehow it spoke to that young man.
Dear Lord, as I go though my day, show me where my "appointments" are--help me to recognize when someone needs a little encouragement, or a little acceptance.
In my job, there are many customers that I speak with on a regular basis, but have never met face to face. A couple weeks ago, I was reading an obituary, and recognized the name of a woman I worked with when I was a teenager. One of her daughters turned out to be one of my customers. I hesitated to give my condolences because I thought maybe that would be considered strange or maybe unprofessional. But today, I decided to speak up. I said that I read in the paper that her mother had passed away, that I remembered her mom from when I worked with her many years ago. I was really surprised with the reaction I received: this lady was so touched and pleased that I had remembered her mother!
Well, this showed me that when I feel that I would like to acknowledge something that someone is going through, I should just do it! I wonder how many times The Lord has put someone in my path, and I have totally missed my opportunity to show love to that person.
The other incident involved Del and his new parttime job as a cab driver. Much of his job involves driving people who are not in shape to drive themselves to bars or casinos, or back home. One of his fares got in the cab, and in the course of the conversation stated that he didn't feel comfortable at the bar because he had taken meth. I don't know how the conversation went, but when the guy got out of the cab, he gave Del his tip, and said, "I appreciate that you listened to me and didn't judge me." We, who are Christians, always want to help people, and sometime we "help" by casting our judgements on others. We've all done it. But, that night, Del's witness to a young man who called himself an atheist, was acceptance. What a small thing that was, but somehow it spoke to that young man.
Dear Lord, as I go though my day, show me where my "appointments" are--help me to recognize when someone needs a little encouragement, or a little acceptance.
No comments:
Post a Comment