If you're at all like me, you're a creature of routine. You have certain things that you do on certain days. And when you have weeks that are busier than normal, that have lots of extra activities and appointments thrown in, that routine gets a little out of kilter.
During those kinds of weeks, and on those kinds of days, we must take care that the main things, the really important things, still get done. Things like feeding the children and getting them to school on time. Things like Bible reading and prayer. The important things.
But this post is not intended to address those kinds of things. Or to lay a guilt trip on you if you're not staying exactly on schedule with your laundry and house cleaning. Or to give you a list of twenty habits that are sure to make you more productive.
This post is about the things we all have time to do, but somehow neglect.
Things like a smile. Or a kind word. Or a hug.
How often do you rush through the halls, whether at work or at school or in the mall or even at church, and completely ignore the people you pass by? Or perhaps you've had the experience of being the one who was ignored?
Are we really so busy that we can't take time to give someone a smile or a pleasant word? Or is it that we think too much of ourselves? Is it that somehow speaking to those people is beneath us? Surely that isn't what you think! If it is, then shame on you!
Just how much time or energy does it take to smile as you walk by? You don't always need to stop and have a lengthy conversation on your way from Point A to Point B. But really, is it necessary to always stare straight ahead and never be bothered to give a smile or a "good morning" to those you pass on your way?
Does it really take so much time to smile?
Are you too busy to give a smile or a kind word?
If you're that busy, then you're too busy.
Or is it an issue of time at all? Is the reason you don't smile or say good morning as you pass by that you think you're somehow on a level above those you have passed? Are you just too good to be bothered? Is time really the issue? Or is it your ego?
Take time to be pleasant today. Take time to give away a smile.....or two or three. Stop thinking so much of yourself and take the time. I dare you!
Give the world a smile each day,
Helping someone on life's way.
From the paths of sin oh bring the wanderers in
To the master's fold to stay.
Help to cheer the lone and sad;
Help to make some pilgrim glad.
Let your life so be that all the world might see
The joy of serving Jesus with a smile.
(Yandell/Deaton)
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