Monday Morning Memo: Acts of Kindness

Today’s blog post isn’t deeply spiritual…it’s just sharing something that happened to me last week that made me smile.  And I think we all can use more of those kinds of “happenings”.

 

We have a local store where a young man works who I do not know.  He’s nice looking and seems to do his job well…but I realized from the first time I saw him that he was very quiet and rather serious.  Because of this, I decided to make an intentional effort to show him kindness.

 

So, for many months now, whenever I have seen him in the store, I have made an effort to speak to him.  I usually just ask him how he is…or I might talk about something exciting like the weather.  Just anything to make sure he knows he is seen.  A few times, I’ve actually had him answer me with as few words as possible…but it was at least a beginning.

 

Last week, I went to check out at this store, and I didn’t notice that he was working in the lane behind me.  I started unloading my things on the conveyor belt, and suddenly there was someone standing next to me taking my things out of the cart for me.  I looked over to see that, lo and behold, it was this young man.  He had come from his lane to mine, unloaded my things, and then immediately started back to his lane.  I said to him, “Thank you so much!” and I heard softly, “You are welcome”.

 

Yep, that was our short-lived encounter…but you can bet I came out of that store grinning from ear to ear.  He had made the first effort this time and it made my whole day!

 

I have shared before that I have a “game” I play whenever I go up to a cashier or have a waitress come to our table.  My game is to see if I can greet them, before they greet me.  Unfortunately, in some stores and restaurants, it’s not hard to win at the game, because sometimes the person doesn’t even recognize that I’ve entered their territory.  But it is surprising how shocked most of them are when I say to them, “How are you doing today?”  I’m not sure they get asked that question very much, so to have someone honestly want to know how they are doing, is unusual.  

 

I do have a warning though if you try this…be ready to hear how they are really doing.  I’ve had cashiers tell me everything about their day, week and sometimes life and I’ve had waitresses sit down beside me in a booth to give me more details!  My husband laughs and shakes his head, but I don’t mind.

 

We are living in a world where so many people just want to know that someone cares…that someone “sees” them.  Many are going through life feeling rather invisible, and just having someone smile and ask them how they are…can make their whole day.

 

You know…we may be the only “Jesus with skin on” that those we meet…will ever know.  So, if they only see us being disgusted and frustrated and in a rush to get on to the next thing…will they ever want to know about Him?  I don’t know.  But if we can at least brighten their day a little bit, and show them that there are people in this world who truly care…maybe…just maybe…they will begin to wonder what makes us different. 

 

I want to challenge you to make an effort this week to really “see” those with whom you come in contact.  Make eye contact and ask them how they are doing…and then make sure and listen when they tell you.  Who knows…maybe next time you will have someone unload your cart for you too!  

 

“Kind words are like honey—
    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

Proverbs 16:24

 

“And may the Lord make your love for one another 

and for all people grow and overflow, 

just as our love for you overflows.”

I Thessalonians 3:12