Yesterday I was in the store and I saw a lady shopping with her two children. She was joyful - so I paid attention. She sang along with the store music - she spoke respectfully to her kids - she asked their opinion. While we were waiting at the dressing room, she smiled and spoke to me. This made me think about others that I see in the store - rushing around, growling at the clerks, yelling at their kids. (I do know kids bring out the worst in you at the checkout by the candy!)
It made me think about the kind of person I am when I'm out shopping. Am I joyful? Am I patient? Am I kind? Am I angry? Am I snippy? Am I caring to others? Am I so focused on what I'm doing that I don't even notice others?
When Jesus went from place to place, He was always connecting with people. While he was waiting for food, He spoke to the woman by the well. While He was walking by a funeral procession, He saw a mother's sadness and comforted her. While He was waiting to speak, He lifted some children to His lap and loved on them. While waiting for His disciples to finish fishing, He made them breakfast.
I'm not a good wait-er - I don't like to wait- in fact, I even hate to wait at the microwave! But what if I used those times of waiting - in the checkout line, at the dressing room, sitting in the doctor's office, waiting in the carpool line... to connect with people. What if I prayed for waiting opportunities (that might be a bit much!) and looked for chances to care for and bring joy to others? What if I prayed for the people in the car next to me while I waited at the traffic light? Who knows what might happen?
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With the health of my little one finding us in the doctors office often, I have learned to look at others needs. Sometimes I wonder if I am not at that place (of waiting)to minister to others. How many times have I missed it? Too many!
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