It was 6° according to the thermometer in my car as I headed out to the post office yesterday morning. I pulled into my spot and left the car running as I jumped out to drop my birthday cards in the mail. I started to walk towards the door, head down, trying to stay warm. I might have maintained that posture for the length of the parking lot, but after a few steps I felt as if God was saying to me “look up.” When I did I noticed there was a kind woman with a beautiful smile holding the door for me.
Mark you calendar. For Our Community Day 2020 will Saturday May 16th.
At that point I broke into a jog and hurry to the door, so as not to leave her waiting any longer than necessary. I thank her as I hurried past on my way into the building. She disappeared into her car as I headed to the mail slot to deposit my cards. As I walked back to my car I thought “I'm so glad I looked up.” Had I not looked up I might have missed this simple act of kindness and this person's warm smile on a cold day.
That 15-second encounter got me thinking. I wonder how often I, or any of us, miss out on a wonderful moment because we are not looking up. I don't mean just physically elevating our gaze. I mean really being observant of the circumstances and people around us. I wonder how many times I have missed seeing a beautiful smile or an act of kindness that might have brought an extra measure of joy to my day.
The converse is also true. When we fail to look up, to really see the people around us, we will also, from time to time, miss seeing someone who is struggling, who is hurting. If we are not looking up, we may miss out on an opportunity to bless someone by offering a word of hope or encouragement.
As I left the post office I decided I'm going to be more intentional about looking up. I don't want to miss the warm smiles, the acts of kindness and the other blessings that God may have in store for me. Nor do I want to miss noticing those around me who are hurting, that I might have the opportunity to bless.
I want to encourage you this week to be looking up. See those people around you. Suck up the joyful moments. Pray for the people you walk by. And be observant of those who are hurting, who perhaps you can cheer by simply holding the door and offering a warm smile.
God bless,
Pastor Steve