I read a story of a man sitting at a local restaurant having lunch and taking a break from the daily grind, sitting there thinking about how tough he had it lately and how he was sick of what I was doing. He owned a landscape company and never felt he made a difference in people’s lives. As he sat there, feeling sorry for himself, a pretty girl, who looked about 25 years old, walked in and sat down in a booth waiting for her friend. It didn’t take long before he saw she was trying to stay hidden in a way from other people’s gazes and his heart sank. You could see her hair was falling out. She was receiving chemo. He sat there watching, her trying to remain composed. You could tell she was having a tough time of it. He ached for her, imaging what it must be like to go through this and yet he knew some of her pain, you see this man had just buried his wife, the love of his life just a few short years ago and had watched his wife slowly fade away. He needed to get a message of hope to this girl, but how? What could this man do? Then it hit him! He called over her waitress and he explained that he wanted to buy the girl and her friend’s lunch but he also told here you can’t let her know who it was. It had to remain anonymous. In doing so, he handed the waitress a note to give to the girl when she told her that her tab was paid. The note read as follows:”Someone today thought you were beautiful, someone today thought your smile glowed with excitement; someone today thought your eyes lit up the world, someone today cared and wanted you to know this. Enjoy the rest of your day, pretty young lady.” About fifteen minutes later the young girl asked for her check and he watched as she was told it was paid for. She asked:” Why? Who? What for”? The waitress simply handed her the note and informed her that the gentleman who did it left, as to keep him anonymous. He watched as she slowly read the note. Her eyes teared up, for only a moment, and then came the smile! A huge, beautiful, hopeful smile! She lit up the room and then sat up straight, not caring who saw her. Her friend also beamed, not for what was done but because her friend was feeling beautiful again.
It’s not how we look or what we have. It isn’t how big our house is or how many cars we have, nor is it how much money we can earn, No, it isn’t. You see it is all about how much we care and what we do, even if it is making someone feel pretty only for a moment. Yes, lunch cost only a few dollars but you see the wonderful part, THE MAGIC WAS FREE. It is so important to pay attention to people and life around you. Things you do or Don’t Do can change people’s lives completely. With just a smile, letting someone cut in line at the grocery store, or letting someone with road rage go ahead of you at a traffic light. (It may be safer to have them ahead of you). You just never know what they are going through in their lives. Something so small, that you do, can change their lives for the better. You can’t just say you are a Christian. You have to get out of the boat and throw out your net and be a fisherman of men…… All of you here at Zion UCC Church can do it. You all are wonderful people! You serve the risen Savior. I know you can reach out to those in need. I have seen you do it. The act of kindness you show of love to people change their lives and in turn that one small act of kindness can change the world. Pass the love of God on to everyone you meet. You can change your life and the world around you. To think it could all start with a smile….. GO try it today…. By the way! It makes you feel great in the meantime.
Happy Spring to everyone! I will be thinking and praying and sending all of you a blessing and a smile from me.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Walter Coy
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