This past week was the beginning of the holiday season. First, let me say belated Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I pray that you had a wonderful time of fellowship with your family and friends. Though there were only four people gathered around our table it was a wonderful time of being grateful and joyful.
For the first time every in my life - I decided to do the early morning day after Thanksgiving sale shopping. I have to say that I'm not an early morning person at all. So getting up at 4:00 a.m. is not an exciting event for me. However, my friend talked me into it plus I wanted to pick up an item for the church. So with the coffee maker set to start brewing at 4:15 a.m. I woke to the expectancy of a push and shove match at the neighborhood Walmart.
My friend and I arrived at Walmart about 2 minutes (according to the store manager's watch)till the pushing and shoving. She decided to hold the basket while I waited by the item that I wanted. Not realizing that the item was not in it's usual place I stood next to the only other two individuals on the isle listening as the prizes were revealed to awaiting contestant. I could hear the sound of rushing people grabbing, fighting and pushing.
Later as I walked throughout the store I noticed how such a wonderful time of the year can produce such rude individuals. I quickly decided that for every rude Grinch I encountered, I would find someone to be kind to. I smiled each time a surprised individual said thank you because I told them where to find the prize they were looking for. "O, thank you so much ma'am!"
With each push or shove, I quickly gave an "I'm so sorry, excuse me! Absolutely no problem." Then it seemed that the person was either moved or brushed by a bit of embarrassment and a need to give a slight smile.
So it's a settled deal. Five o'clock rush or evening crowed, I'll make the extra effort to show others what this season is all about. The season of life is about showing kindness to other's even when it can be a test of my character.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
When Starbucks Is Good
I can't remember the first time I went to Starbucks. It seems like I have been going as long as I have been driving. But one thing I do know is that Starbucks has been a very intricate part of my life. During my college years it was a safe haven for me and my friends. It was my secondary source of supplying my daily habit of two pots of coffee. Though God has delivered my from the strong hold of muddy water, I still find that the place is just as much a part of my life as it was during those collage days of...a few hours ago. I think I'm to young to say "of yesterday".
I have found that coffee shops are excellent places for Bible Study, hanging out or reconnecting with friends. On several accounts I have been pleased to see young adults sharing God's Word over a way to costly cup of joe.
In this day and age, people are rather apprehensive about opening their home to others for fellowship. I mean just because we shout together does not mean that...I think you get the picture. And some people just enjoying a moment away from home. So how do you enjoy the simple fellowship that you would in your home away from home. Ask Starbucks. The hard wooden seats of yesterday have been replaced with big comfy chairs, love seats, gorgeous art and fireplaces. I even saw one that resembled a cozy ski lodge on the cities west side.
I find that Starbucks, or any other coffee shop, makes for a nice place to just get away or to spend with friends. Even though I have become more of a social coffee drinker I still enjoy the atmosphere. Life can be very busy and pressuring, but it's always to have a place to just relax. Sometimes, a place like Starbucks can be a good pause in your life. In fact taking a moment to just breath and pull away from the everyday grind is a great pause in your life.
In order to enjoy this precious gift, you have to learn to find a place to pause. So before this year ends find your place to pause and just breath.
*Note - I was not paid by Starbucks to include them in my blog. I'm just one of those people who is grateful for this caffeine Super-chain.
I have found that coffee shops are excellent places for Bible Study, hanging out or reconnecting with friends. On several accounts I have been pleased to see young adults sharing God's Word over a way to costly cup of joe.
In this day and age, people are rather apprehensive about opening their home to others for fellowship. I mean just because we shout together does not mean that...I think you get the picture. And some people just enjoying a moment away from home. So how do you enjoy the simple fellowship that you would in your home away from home. Ask Starbucks. The hard wooden seats of yesterday have been replaced with big comfy chairs, love seats, gorgeous art and fireplaces. I even saw one that resembled a cozy ski lodge on the cities west side.
I find that Starbucks, or any other coffee shop, makes for a nice place to just get away or to spend with friends. Even though I have become more of a social coffee drinker I still enjoy the atmosphere. Life can be very busy and pressuring, but it's always to have a place to just relax. Sometimes, a place like Starbucks can be a good pause in your life. In fact taking a moment to just breath and pull away from the everyday grind is a great pause in your life.
In order to enjoy this precious gift, you have to learn to find a place to pause. So before this year ends find your place to pause and just breath.
*Note - I was not paid by Starbucks to include them in my blog. I'm just one of those people who is grateful for this caffeine Super-chain.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Time to Learn to Say Thank You
On Sunday our pastor stated that she will be preaching on being thankful and having a spirit of gratitude throughout this month. At the close of the service she had everyone to walk around and to tell others "I appreciate you." Being a camera happy person, I pulled out my camera and begin to video this wonderful experience.
How often do we tell people that we appreciate you? During the message one member leaned over to tell me how powerful a "Thank You!" is to her. I think in truth - Thank You! holds high value to everyone. There is nothing like the smile that lights up a child's face when you tell them thank you for the scribble on the paper that they gave to you. If found on the floor that paper would be trash - but for that child its a gift of love from their heart to you.
I thought the other week - so many times we get to busy to really tell God thank you. But how much time does it take to tell God thank you? I mean really - how much time? If you consider all that He has done - thank you is the minimum that we can give.
How often do we tell people that we appreciate you? During the message one member leaned over to tell me how powerful a "Thank You!" is to her. I think in truth - Thank You! holds high value to everyone. There is nothing like the smile that lights up a child's face when you tell them thank you for the scribble on the paper that they gave to you. If found on the floor that paper would be trash - but for that child its a gift of love from their heart to you.
I thought the other week - so many times we get to busy to really tell God thank you. But how much time does it take to tell God thank you? I mean really - how much time? If you consider all that He has done - thank you is the minimum that we can give.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Two Small Cookies
In my field of work I'm always attending a seminar of some sort. This week I attended a seminar on the other side of town. Though I would not say that this seminar was one of my favorites, none-the-less I learned one or two things. Of course this is far from the point of this blog. LOL!
During the seminar my empty stomach felt a little hungry. So during the first break I made my way to the vending machine. I'm sorry I didn't mention that this was a free seminar with no food - they did have ice water and coffee. Wanting to save my protein bar for later, I purchased a pack of cheese peanut crackers. As I strolled around the seminar room - I scarfed down my crackers. Not once did I think to offer anyone a cracker. I mean - they could go buy their own $.40 pack of crackers. I was starving - a big exaggeration. But sharing was no where on my mind. Unaware of a gentleman walking up behind, I turned quickly -guarding my crackers. "Excuse me! I didn't mean to startle you. Can you tell me where the vending machine is?"
Returning back to my seat. I drank some of my Chai Latte from Starbucks. If you don't like coffee, give the Soy Chai, no water a try. I digress. The older gentleman took his seat one over from me. "You can't resist a Famous Amos cook (he pointed his open bag at me." Yea, rite! I mean they were good when thy first came out. But now that it's a corporate business...you know how it is. But I smiled out of kindness to his warm offer. "Please! take two, take two."
I gave him my thank you as I sat nibbling on my small little cookies. Soon a conversation ensued. I can't say I remember much of what the conversation was...it went from where I worshiped to an engraving machine. But an offer of two cookies opened up a conversation between two strangers. "Have another one! I have two left. You take one and I'll eat the other. No please, take one. Ok" I refused the third cookie - one of the last two in the bag - because I was not supposed to have the other two to begin with.
How often do we offer to share our last with the stranger one seat over from us. Yes, he was a church going man - an active member. But still, how often do Christians look over and offer a small something that might add a smile to an individual that we may never see again. I don't think the true kindness was in the offering of the two cookies, but offering one of the two last cookies with joy. There was a big smile on his face as he pointed the bag in my direction. An instance at my no thank you. And an almost sadness at my humble refusal.
As Christians we should find joy in sharing. Not just our faith - and there should be joy in that - but in sharing whatever it is that God lays upon our heart - with a perfect stranger. I have to admit sharing is not my strong point. But I believe that God allowed that gentleman to share something more valuable than cookies with me. He reminded me of 1. how God willingly shared the greatest gift us 2. that I need to learn to share - my faith, my heart and every now and then a cookie (whatever that might be).
During the seminar my empty stomach felt a little hungry. So during the first break I made my way to the vending machine. I'm sorry I didn't mention that this was a free seminar with no food - they did have ice water and coffee. Wanting to save my protein bar for later, I purchased a pack of cheese peanut crackers. As I strolled around the seminar room - I scarfed down my crackers. Not once did I think to offer anyone a cracker. I mean - they could go buy their own $.40 pack of crackers. I was starving - a big exaggeration. But sharing was no where on my mind. Unaware of a gentleman walking up behind, I turned quickly -guarding my crackers. "Excuse me! I didn't mean to startle you. Can you tell me where the vending machine is?"
Returning back to my seat. I drank some of my Chai Latte from Starbucks. If you don't like coffee, give the Soy Chai, no water a try. I digress. The older gentleman took his seat one over from me. "You can't resist a Famous Amos cook (he pointed his open bag at me." Yea, rite! I mean they were good when thy first came out. But now that it's a corporate business...you know how it is. But I smiled out of kindness to his warm offer. "Please! take two, take two."
I gave him my thank you as I sat nibbling on my small little cookies. Soon a conversation ensued. I can't say I remember much of what the conversation was...it went from where I worshiped to an engraving machine. But an offer of two cookies opened up a conversation between two strangers. "Have another one! I have two left. You take one and I'll eat the other. No please, take one. Ok" I refused the third cookie - one of the last two in the bag - because I was not supposed to have the other two to begin with.
How often do we offer to share our last with the stranger one seat over from us. Yes, he was a church going man - an active member. But still, how often do Christians look over and offer a small something that might add a smile to an individual that we may never see again. I don't think the true kindness was in the offering of the two cookies, but offering one of the two last cookies with joy. There was a big smile on his face as he pointed the bag in my direction. An instance at my no thank you. And an almost sadness at my humble refusal.
As Christians we should find joy in sharing. Not just our faith - and there should be joy in that - but in sharing whatever it is that God lays upon our heart - with a perfect stranger. I have to admit sharing is not my strong point. But I believe that God allowed that gentleman to share something more valuable than cookies with me. He reminded me of 1. how God willingly shared the greatest gift us 2. that I need to learn to share - my faith, my heart and every now and then a cookie (whatever that might be).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)