This past week has been a busy one – rushing from one task to the next and trying to stay ahead of the curve. A little illness, a lot of exhaustion and plenty of work left me feeling depleted by the end of each week.
While running last minute errands to get ready for the day, my attitude was very internally focused. I found myself running through the list of everything I had on my plate to accomplish before I could rest.
As I rushed into the next shop, I was met by the sweetest woman who greeted me with a gracious smile. She asked how I was, checked to see if I needed anything and ushered me further into the store. I was instantly struck by her smile and the way that she seemed to have all the time in the world for me. What an abrupt contrast to the way I rushed in.
We chatted and I felt myself exhaling a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding in. I wrapped up what I came in for and as I left, she pressed a tiny card into my hand. The front was adorned with little sunflowers and the words ‘you are precious’ on the front in slightly crooked cursive. The inside was filled with words of encouragement and a promise that Jesus sees me. I don’t know if she will ever realize how much of a gift she had given me.
When I climbed back into my car to move to the next stop, I found myself overcome with this scripture:
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”
Galations 6:9
Perspective
In a world so wrought with chaos, busyness and the bustle of every day it is so easy to get waylaid. It’s easy to forget our true purpose and the reason we are on Earth, to begin with. In one simple gesture that took no more than a minute, a perfect stranger realigned my perspective.
The Lord is actively using us to reach the people around us. Let yourself be a vessel of light in this world. Equally important – let others shine that light into your life when you are struggling. We are only as weak as our silence and solitude.
“You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Small acts of kindness go much farther than we can possibly imagine. My challenge for you today is to do one thing to brighten someone else’s life.
