I bet if I asked you to name certain people you know who drive you crazy, you could list off a few names without even thinking. On the other hand, asked who you enjoy being around, and you could probably answer just as fast. People make an impression on others. Some for the good…others, not so much. Granted, we have different personalities and some just “rub (us) the wrong way.”
That being the case, have you ever wondered what effect you have on others? From the grocery store clerk to the gal at the bank, to someone at the gym, to a casual acquaintance, to family, to friends (hopefully)?
We all have “bad days” when we aren’t exactly jovial or effervescent (!). But, as a general rule, I have wondered: do people look forward to seeing me, or are they anxious for me to leave (assuming they even answer the door). A friend has an expression: “Here’s your hat. What’s your hurry?” It’s humorous, but also convicting.
It’s worth examining, don’t you think? Are people happy to see us come or happier to see us go?
“But, let a man examine himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28)
THIS IS SO TRUE IN OUR UPSIDE DOWN WORLD AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD A WORD TO THIS WISE REMINDER. DON’T FORGET THE AGED WHO CAN NO LONGER INITIATE THE VISITS WITH THE OUTSIDE,, BUT ARE DEPENDENT ..SO DEPENDENT..0N A VISIT OR KIND WORD FROM A FRIEND OR FAMILY. IT TAKES SO LITTLE TIME TO SHARE YOUR DAY WITH A KIND REMARK, OR BETTER YET AN EMAIL OR PHONE CALL TO ENCOURAGE THE SICK AND LONELY –IT CAN MEAN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT DAY FOR THE SHUT IN . YOUR BLOG MEANS A LOT TO SHUT INS, TERI, AND GOD BLESS EVERY LINE. YOU “PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH” AND HAVE DONE THAT FOR ME PERSONALLY MANY TIMES OVER MANY YEARS.
KEEP UP GOD’S WORK WITH YOUR NUDGING REMINDERS. THEY ARE SO MUCH COMFORT TO SO MANY THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESPOND. YOUR COMFORTING WORDS FROM THE OUTSIDE MAKE A HUGE DENT IN THE LONELINESS OF MANY YOU DO NOT EVEN KNOW. I WISH YOU COULD SHARE THAT KINDNESS ON A DAILY BASIS. IT HELPS TO HEAR THAT ONE IS NOT FORGOTTEN SO THEY CAN BE ABLE TO PASS IT ON TO OTHERS. WE ARE ALL VALUABLE AS PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CARING
I used to have a message on my office wall. “Everyone who comes here brings me joy. Some when they arrive and some when they go!” I am now convicted to wonder which one am I?
If only we could see ourselves as others see us.
Wow! That’s something to “reflect” on.