Every time I go downstairs to the cafeteria there is a man serving breakfast that is happy-go-lucky and chipper, who puts a smile on my face. This morning, I went down and he was all grumpity, scowling, and kinda mean to me.
I was there five minutes before breakfast time ended, waiting in line to order. I requested a veggie omelette and he told me breakfast time was over.
Okay.
So I ordered lunch, instead. He took my order.
I went to check out the salad bar and came back five minutes later. My order had not been started.
Me: You got my order, right?
Him: Yes, we’re working on it.
Me: Observes that my order is not on the grill or in the deep fryer.
Him: Walks to fridge, gets my product and puts it on the grill, then gets another product and sets it in the basket of the fryer but doesn’t lower it into the oil.
Me: Waits a few minutes, feeling pretty pissed off.
Me: Just forget it. Walks away.
I left there feeling angry, I won’t lie. And then I asked God, “how can I use this situation for the Greater Good?”
Then it dawned on me.. the guy is ALWAYS in a good mood… and today he was clearly upset. Who knows what went on in his morning to make him that way? Maybe he got in a fight with his wife. Maybe a loved one died. Maybe somebody jumped his butt and so that leaked out to the customers. Who knows? What I *do* know, is that he is always in a good mood, and today he wasn’t; his Spirit always lifts mine which, in turn, always lifts my fathers. So, instead of letting the funk settle, I took action.
I went to the gift shop and I found a Thank You card… and a few wallet cards with a couple sayings. One was about gratitude, one said, “Thank you for your service”, and the other said, “The world is better with you in it”. And then I wrote a big long letter in the card to the following effect:
“I know this may seem weird, but God laid it on my heart to do this. I noticed you were in a bad mood this morning and I just want you to understand what an important role you play in the lives of others. You see, I live at the hospital with my dad. He has been up here over sixty days. I have watched him fight for his life – and even watched him have a heart attack before my eyes one night. It’s been stressful and there are a few things I look forward to in each day.
One of those things is your smiling face and your chipper attitude. Your kindness is contagious. I look forward to come down to get breakfast because I always leave feeling better than I did when I came.. and then that goodness overflows to my dad when I go back to his room. That’s how important you are; that’s the kind of impact you have on someone’s day.
So, I am writing this to you to help you to understand your importance in this life, and to thank you for being so awesome.. and I hope that it can maybe lift your spirits today the same way your Presence has lifted mine for the past couple of months. May God bless you and keep you.”
I admit, after I wrote it, my anger was gone, I was full of gratitude, and I felt so much better! And I am sure, after he read the card, so did he. Gathering my courage, I walked back into the cafeteria, where we’d just had a semi-altercation… and.. it’s almost as if God positioned him just exactly where he was available to me outside of the food area. I walked straight up to him as he was rounding the corner to the commons area. He looked at me and I handed him the card and said, “Have a great day!”, and smiled and walked off. His response, although he hadn’t even read the card or opened it?
“Thank you. Thank you very much.”… almost as if he knew I was a messenger.
These moments? They are the kind of moments that I live for… to know that a simple little act can turn things around – not just for him – but also for me… it’s just beautiful.
Is there a situation that you can use (or have used) for the Greater Good? Or where you just felt your Heart nudging you to take some weird action that may otherwise seem inappropriate or weird? Did you follow your heart? Or did you ignore your Inner Calling? If so, why? I’d love to hear about it!
Blessings and love to you! <3 <3 <3
Jodi Ana