I'm a social person. I talk to everyone. I say hello with eyecontact to people I pass on the street. I wave a thankyou to a fellow driver who has been gracious to let me in. I small talk while standing in line at the grocery store. I enjoy it. I like being friendly to complete strangers. I also like that I see the same three ladies at the dermatologist on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Lorraine, Shannon and the lady who never says hi.
Lorraine is so kind and patient. She sits with the girls outside the room in the cramped hallway of the office. She knows their names, knows that they love lollipops and aren't allowed to ask for them - so she always offers, even when it's nine in the morning.
Shannon is a lovely lady in her thirties. She has kids the same ages as mine, so she's easily approachable and has fun conversations with the girls about what they are going to do for the day, and what they brought in their little pocketbooks.
Then there is "the other lady". I call her this, because I haven't bothered to know her name. Not because I don't want to know her name, but because she has NO interest in anything but getting me in and getting me out of the lightbox.
The receptionist (who also knows my name before I say it each day), calls to the back and announces that I'm waiting for the lightbox and then they send me back. So they know I'm coming. It's a 10 second walk. As I round the corner ready to give the three ladies a "goodmorning" - she cuts me off and says "any burning?" That's it, never a hello. "Any burning" is really all she ever says to me. So, I've never had a chance to know her name. She never faces me, never looks at me. Not interested. Maybe I should go waaayyy out of my way to get to know her. You know, kill her with kindness.
So many people are rude and self absorbed, rushing through their day demanding attention, demanding things from others. I think how easy it to say the simple things. You know the "hello", "excuse me", "please", "thank you". It's not hard - but I think it makes the world of difference to those around us. Let's go out of our way to show them the love of Jesus with our hellos, our pleases, and our thank yous.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Good Words! It makes me wonder how people have treated this women to make her so angry, or closed off to people. Her pain is coming through her reactions towards you. Thankfully she has brushed up against someone who won't let her prickliness stand in her way!
I wonder what she'd do if you walked back one day and before she asks you "any burning?" you,(with no expression on your face whatsoever), quickly blurt out "no burning." Then just laugh.
Yup, that's what I would do.
Oh, and then I would blog about it.
Kill her with kindness.
Start today with saying hi to her.
Wednesday, ask her name.
Friday use her name when you say, "Good morning________!"
Thanks for the reminder. I confess, I get so wrapped up in my own worries and concerns that I don't think about how I appear to those who are around me.
Another idea for the killing with kindness theme is to thank her for asking and/or tell her you appreciate her concern in thinking of you.
Classic Mama dialog rip-off (sorry, Friend!)
Woman: Any burning?
You: Good morning! [smile & patiently waiting while maintaining eye contact]
Her: [huge sigh & rolls her eyes] Good morning... any burning?
Repeat until desired results take effect.
PS- 2 out of 3 ain't bad...
PPS- You're doing great!
Hi, I'm Plain-and-Simple's Sister-in-Law.
I just read your post and have a God-story for you about being friendly.
My Mother-in-Law lives in a trailer park. One day, I was dropping off some groceries for her, and passed one of her neighbors. I didn't know her, I just waved and smiled as our cars passed.
A few weeks later, I was attending Hillside's anniversary celebration and this girl, who I didn't know, came up to me and introduced herself. It was the girl I had waved to, a few weeks earlier. She knew me by my van. She went on to tell me about her life (extremely hard with many bondages) and how much the wave and smile meant to her. I ended up having the opportunity to encourage her (she was a brand new Christian)and prayer blessing on her.
The point is, Jesus can use any kindness, any courtesy to touch another's heart.
Sound like the lady in your post is "crying" on the inside. May God impower you in His kindess to "dry" her tears.
Bless you!!!
Post a Comment