It was annoying. Doesn't he get it? How many times did I have to say "no" before he gets the message: I just don't want one.
The same man. Morning after morning.
Like watching my kettle slowly reach the boiling point for my morning tea, I was aware of that feeling of irritation deep within me rising to a "heated bubbling" state before even being dropped off at the subway.
I'm not sure why I was so annoyed. He was only doing his job.
Everyday he offered me a free daily newspaper.
Everyday I said no.
But that day, I walked right by him without acknowledging his free offering.
Looking back, I'm kind of suspicious I had a fairly grumpy look on my face too.
"Have a good day, Ma'am." he said with a thick accent.
"Did he just speak to me?" I thought. It caught me by surprise. That was the first time I had ever heard him speak.
In the split second that I turned my grumpy-looking face toward him, our eyes met, and he smiled.
Not a "lady-if-you-want-to-have-an-attitude-with-me-then-I'll-show-you" mocking kind of smile.
No, it was a genuine smile.
I half-smiled.
But I also got to thinking.
Standing on a crowded subway platform with my fellow-commuters, I asked myself, "Is that how I always treat people who annoy me? What could I learn from this?"
Settled into a seat, I pulled out my notebook and wrote down the following:
Lessons Learned So Far Today (and it's only 6:50 am)
1. Keep things in perspective: I was annoyed and irritated day after day about being offered a newspaper. Like, hello? What was the big deal, really???
2. Look at it his way: After all, he is only trying to do the best job he can at his job.
3. Treat others with respect: I had disrespected him in thought and action.
4. I can choose my attitude: Yep, I had made a choice to be annoyed and irritated long before arriving at the subway station. If I made that choice, I sure could make another choice too--to be pleasant.
5. I had an opportunity to help make someone's day better: I may not have wanted the newspaper, but I still could have offered a smile and a cheery "good morning!"
6. Keep my eyes wide open - everyone can teach me something: Even the guy passing out the free newspapers. Think about it. He taught me #1-5 today. And it's only 7:00 am!
Closing my notebook, my mind wanders.
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
-Philippians 2:3-4
What would Jesus have done?
I'm not sure, but the above verse speaks to what we must do to align our own attitude to Jesus' example of humility in Philippians 2.
Out comes my notebook. I add number 7 to my list above.
7. God loves me so much, that He gives me ordinary, everyday opportunities that allow Him to transform me into the image of His Son, Jesus: God is in the heart changing business, and He wants to change me from the inside out. In His grace He allowed me to see an area of my current "state-of-heart" that needed His adjusting touch.
The Next Day:
Man: (passes me a copy of the newspaper)
Me: "No thanks."
Man: (smiles) "Have a good day, Ma'am!"
Me: (full-on smile) "And right back at ya!"
Me: (walking toward turnstiles) "Father, may he get even a small glimpse of You and Your love through our tiny interaction today."
What is annoying you today? What are you irritated about? What can you learn? Is it an opportunity God is using to transform you from the inside out?
Go about today with your eyes wide open. He is always teaching us!
Remember, God loves you so much that He gives you ordinary, everyday opportunities that allow Him to transform you into the image of His Son, Jesus.
love you,
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