We recently got a new security guard in my office building. Each morning when I pull into the parking lot, she waves with energy and gusto. When I first observed her, I waved back and started smiling to myself.
After a few weeks of her consistently doing this, I felt the urge to go thank her.
That morning, before I gathered my belongings, I decided to simply tell her that her warm greeting was noticed and appreciated. We chatted briefly, while I offered her my thanks, and noticed that she was a very young lady.
I then went back to my car to gather my stuff and upon reaching for my work bag, some charts that I had been sending to clients fell out. I grabbed one and walked back over to give one to her and share the meaning behind it.
She thanked me and said she needed that reminder that morning. The card was also small enough that she said she would tuck it into her phone case (just like I had done the previous week with my found $10). It would serve as a constant reminder of the message I got, at a time that I needed it.
Often times we don’t need to have grand gestures towards people, it’s simply showing them that we see them and the good they are putting out into the world. That morning I went to thank her and I was reminded how important it was to take a moment and truly see people.
As Proverbs 11:25 states, ‘A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed’
I did not give her riches, but that morning, I was a source of encouragement, and in so doing, I too was encouraged.
Happy Thanksgiving and I want to let you know that I am grateful for each of you. May we continue to refresh others, so we too may be refreshed.
Dear Heavenly Father, even now I am continually amazed that you still show up with more lessons to learn. I’m coming to realize that the more we look for the lessons, the more you will bring them to our attention. Help us to continue to look for and highlight the positive things in our lives.