Two
recent little incidents remind me again about how far a little
respect and goodwill can carry you and others in life. In the first
instance, Kathy and I were at Walmart in the busy somewhat crowded
lobby area. We were in a hurry and I went some distance to the side
area to get a shopping cart. As I was coming back into the main
entrance area, I had to skirt a woman also headed back to get a cart.
I felt the urge to give her my cart and simply go back and get
another for myself. But I was in a hurry and did not do so. I could
see that she recognized (almost against her will) my impoliteness.
Afterwards, I regretted not making this simple and easily done
gesture of kindness. The second instance occurred Tuesday at a
filling station. I was headed into the store to hand over my credit
card to the clerk before filling my tank. A tall, somewhat burly man
was headed out as I was headed in. I stopped, turned around, and
opened the door for the man. He was genuinely appreciative, and later
outside at the pumps, he wished me well as he was getting gas for his
own vehicle.
I
wonder how many more years it will take me to learn that a little
kindness and respect go a long ways towards lightening the load other people must carry while coincidentally giving me a sense of
fundamental worthiness and decency. It reminds me of when I used to
take my children (adopted from the streets) to Sunday school. Even
though this happened many years ago, I can remember now and picture
clearly how they were treated with love, respect, and courtesy. The
adult class served coffee in the back of their meeting room. The boys
liked to go in when the class was not in session and get a cup. Andy
Hines, the teacher of the class, would often be standing in the back
of the class and would serve the boys coffee – treating them as if
they really mattered. If he only knew (perhaps that's the point,
perhaps he did know) how much this meant to me and the boys. Lord, I
pray that I will consistently and with insight and vision finally
apply even the most simple and clear lessons that I have repeatedly
seen demonstrated since childhood, but apparently have not sufficiently
learned.
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