Clay in the Hands

I had to stop for gas when I got to town today.  As I pulled up next to the gas pump, I noticed a lady beginning to fill her car on the other side of the set of pumps I was about to use.  As I got out of the car, I could not see her, but I heard her say, “Good morning, how are you today?”  I looked around and there was no one else to receive her greeting so I knew she was talking to me.  So I responded, “I am good.  How about you?”

She replied, “I am blessed.  I guess I could complain but no one would listen.”

I told her, “I would listen – might not could do anything about it – but I would listen.”  She laughed and I laughed and that was about it for our exchange until she finished and I told her to have  a wonderful day and she told me to be blessed.

I finished putting gas in the car, retrieved my receipt and headed to the office.  But as I drove, I wondered, if she had not taken the first step to say “Hi,” would I have taken the initiative?  I had a multitude of things swimming around my head (and those of you who know me know that if it was more than two thoughts that things were getting pretty crowded in there).  Striking up a conversation with a stranger was not on my To Do list.

But I was reminded that it should be a standing item on that list.  My day was brightened because a stranger at a gas pump took the time and energy to say “good morning.”  Nothing fancy or elaborate.  It didn’t take any additional time – just additional effort.

As a Jesus follower, shouldn’t we make it a point to brighten someone else’s day – everyday?

Maybe that is an answer to my question yesterday – you can read that post here.

Be a blessing today!