Off In The Distance.....

My friend P and I are staying at a hotel in Creve Cour, just outside of St.Louis for a few days, and we're close enough to be able to watch the planes at Lambert International Airport take off and land, but far enough away that we don't hear the roar of the engines.

For the better part of an hour, P and I stood at the North East facing window and swooned over the activity of the suburb. Lexus, Audi, BMW, Microsoft, Starbucks, and the airport are all within our reach and I couldn't help, but think about all of the people who lives are passing by us. They are car dealers, coffee shop workers, gas stations attendants, waitresses, and hotel managers, people who are over looked all day unless they are needed by the folks they serve.

How many times am I guilty of not saying thank you, of not speaking the truth of Jesus Christ to them? How often have I just passed over the person that hands my change to me, without telling them God Bless you, or have a good day?  Far more often then I would like to admit.

Just this morning P and I were in the elevator on our way down to breakfast. The elevator stopped on the 5th floor, and a gentleman wearing an "Army Veteran" hat, and his female companion got in and politely asked us to push the 2nd floor button. P obliged, and we stood there, silent. Both of us wanted to thank him for his service, but neither of us spoke up. The man got off of the elevator and our chance was gone. The lady started talking to us about how many bags he brought with him, and by the time the elevator stopped, P had made up her mind, we stepped out of the elevator, and began to part ways, until P stepped out of her comfort zone, and said "please tell you're friend that we said thank you for his service" . I felt relieved, not just because she said what we were both thinking, but because it was her and not me. We had no way of knowing that this man is rarely thanked, that he is often passed over by people just like us.

Today that stops, Today i'll smile wider, I'll take a few extra moments to ask questions about their lives. I will make a point to notice the patches on jackets, the pendants on necklaces, scars on their hands, and the battles in their hearts. Today i stop worrying about my day, and focus on sharing the love of Christ in everything that I do!