Jan
31
2018
It Matters
Posted in Daily Living 4 Comments
The UPS truck is beginning to deliver the baby items I have ordered for our home.
Until the five items arrive, I receive an email telling me when to expect the delivery.
I then receive another email telling me that the package has been delivered.
It is thorough; it is efficient.
I heard the doorbell around 5:00 in the evening.
I went to the front door that has windows on either side.
I can usually see a figure in the sidelight windows if someone is at the door.
This day, there was no one there so I knew the doorbell rang because it was a delivery.
The driver always rings the doorbell as he leaves the package.
He then heads back to his truck.
Sometimes, I get to the door in time and say thank you before he reaches the truck.
This particular day, I heard the truck door close as I opened our front door.
It was a large box.
It was not heavy but it was cumbersome.
I bent down to position myself to bring the box inside.
The UPS truck was driving up the driveway.
I looked up.
The UPS driver turned his head towards our house.
He waved.
Thank you, I said loudly, as I waved back.
He was waiting for that wave, I thought.
It was not the wave from me but rather an acknowledgment that I was grateful.
How many houses must he go to each day where no one is home?
Sometimes, that is what he finds when he comes here as well.
However, if I am home, I am sure to give him a wave and a thank you.
It matters.
It is so important.
A smile goes a long way.
There is a young man who pushes a small cleaning cart around the grocery store.
He goes up and down the aisles cleaning up any debris.
In his cart, there is a broom and dust pan.
He is very careful to keep the aisles clean and litter free.
At the end of each aisle, there is some sort of device with which he has to make contact.
It lets management know that he has inspected the aisle and found it acceptable.
I have seen him work so carefully, making sure that nothing is on the floor.
He takes his job seriously.
One day I told him so.
You are a very hard worker, I said.
He just beamed.
I like to keep everything nice, he answered.
After that, I would smile every time I saw him.
Working hard again, I would say.
I would notice a little spring in his step.
Someone noticed that he was doing a good job.
It matters.
The man comes every month to deliver propane for our gas fireplace.
He usually leaves the bill on the doorknob of my kitchen door.
Last month, he delivered the propane while it was snowing.
I knew the delivery man must be so cold, even though he was bundled up.
As he pulled the long hose from his truck and through our yard, I opened the door.
I’m here in the kitchen if you want to leave the bill with me, I said.
Oh, great, he said, happy to see a face on that snowy day.
When he came to the back door to hand me the bill, I gave him two chocolate chip cookies.
Fresh out of the oven, I told him, and still warm.
I could see the steam rising from the cookies.
Thanks a lot, he said as he immediately took a bite.
Stay warm, I said as I closed the door.
None of those things were done to make points.
None of those things were done to get preferential treatment.
All of those little things were done because I was grateful.
All those little things were done because it matters.
It matters.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
No points.
No preferential treatment.
Love others because Jesus loves us.
Love others because Jesus said so.
Love others with a smile.
Love others with words of gratitude.
Love others with a word of encouragement.
Love others by doing a little thing that is a big thing to them.
Can you imagine what the world would be like it we obeyed Jesus’ command?
Can you imagine the difference just one little thing would make in someone’s life?
What if we took Jesus’ command seriously?
What if we loved like Jesus?
Love others.
It matters.
It really matters.
Jesus said so.
Smiles and a kind word don’t cost a thing, but may make a difference in someone’s day–we just want to love others like Jesus loves us!
Absolutely, Sue! The little things are really the big things. How different the world would be!
Gina
Great encouragement!
Thank you.
You are welcome, Alissa!
The little things matter so much and can really make a difference in someone else’s day. Blessings!
Gina