Today, I’ll stand behind someone in line at the grocery store that just lost their job. I’ll sit behind a car as it misses the green light ~ watch it go from green to amber because a distracted mother is gazing out the window wondering when her teenager will come around.
Today, I’ll go to the drive-thru to get my favorite coffee and the cashier will be grumpy. Impolite. Because he just found out his sister has cancer. Then, as I’m driving to the bank, I’ll narrowly miss getting hit by by a car with some guy on his cell phone. He’s angry, animated, occupied. Talking to his soon to be ex-wife.
Today is the duplicate of yesterday. A portent of tomorrow. Today people are hurting. Struggling to believe this is a day worth rejoicing.
And so today, it’s necessary to be nice.
If You Can’t Say Something Nice …
Thank you so much. Lately I’ve been like the people you described and I’m like the grumpy person dealing with stressers. I appreciate the reminder that we all are dealing with difficulty in our own lives
Prayers for you, Kimberly.
So true, Susie! We recently moved, as you may know. We were basically forced to move out of our former building by a new owner who wanted to rennovate the buidling. (and rightly so!) Still, as unhappy we were about the state of affairs, we kept things civil in our meetings with him. Yesterday, there was an adorable little boy in the English class I taught to a few Kindergarteners. I had had him before, but never really noticed his last name. His Dad picked him up. Our former landlord!! I didn’t realize it was him at first, because the light was behind him, putting his face in darkness, but I thought, I know that guy… Didn’t realize who it was until he had gone and I had looked at the roster of the class. Wooweee! As my very wise husband likes to say, you always meet people twice.
Fortunately for the cashier’s sister, God is still in the healing business, and he sent you to remind him and pray for his sister. Yeah, He’s that kind of God! (Thanks again, Jesus, for the miracle of healing me of cancer in just one week. Have I told You lately that You’re wonderful?)
… amazing. And thank so much for sharing.
Thank you for your words of wisdom!
Love,
Rene’
A genuine thank you for the reminder.
Amen! This is the best explanation I’ve heard for why it’s so important to be nice to people. I love this! You never know what someone’s situation may be so regardless of how they treat you it’s important to treat them right. Thank you for this wonderful post and reminder!