I Was Minding My Own Business
I was minding my own business when my sweet friend Jeannie Waters posted to her blog.
In her post, Jeannie encouraged her readers to change someone’s day by noticing.
I was particularly encouraged by the powerful testimony she shared about how being noticed changed her friend Angela’s day.
Angela, a tired young momma with three little kids, wrote:
To the mama in the Target parking lot that saw me struggling to unload three kids and yelled across the parking lot, “You’re doing great, Mama,” thank you for seeing me. To the mama in Chick-Fil-A who helped me lug my crew out to my van, thank you for seeing me. To the mama in Kroger who offered to give me a hand grocery shopping with my kiddos, thank you for seeing me. To each of these mamas, thank you for seeing me and for challenging me to take the time to see others struggling the same ways I do every day. I see you.
Angela
Jeannie’s post convicted and encouraged me.
It convicted me because I’d just returned from running errands where—I confess—I hadn’t noticed anyone.
Sigh.
But, it also encouraged me because . . .
There’s always tomorrow!
me
Tomorrow indeed came. And I was ready.
With Jeannie’s insights of three ways Jesus paid attention to the needs of others and demonstrated kindness, I set out for Lidl’s grocery store to buy a few items and notice lots of people.
To change someone’s day!
I meandered through the store on the lookout for avocados and young mommas or older shoppers who could use a hand or a smile.
I hunted down every aisle. But everyone seemed content, without need.
After picking up the last item on my list and some fresh bread I couldn’t resist, I walked to the cashier line to pay.
And I noticed someone.
That Moment
I noticed the gentleman standing in front of me.
He was hacking into his hand. A lot.
Over and over, he hacked into his hand. Not his elbow. His hand. The same hand he was using on the credit card machine I was going to use.
Then I noticed the line next to me was also open.
Before he could notice me notice him, I scooted over to the next line.
I’m not sure that’s the type of noticing Jeannie meant in her post. (You’ll have to read it for yourself and decide.)
Scooting and Praying
In an effort to redeem myself, I prayed.
I prayed for the man and his health. And I prayed for someone kinder than me to notice him and share the love of Christ with him.
It wasn’t one of my prouder moments. But, honestly, it’s not unlike me to notice and run. Not because I’m a germaphobe—I’m not—but because I’m a shy extrovert.
I’m energized by being around people, but I’m scared to meet them.
I hate it when I let my personality rule me rather than the love of Christ ruling me.
A Work in Progress
Since that dismal moment that I noticed I’m a terrible noticer, I’ve had other opportunities to succeed.
I’ve done a better job of noticing people in need and offering a helping hand and warm smile.
But, without question, I’ve noticed I’m still a work in progress.
And that’s okay.
It’s okay because I have a faithful Savior who’s done more than just notice me. He offered His life for me. For us. And until He returns or calls us home, He is refining us.
God has promised to work in us who belong to Him and to create out of us a shining reflection of His Son, the greatest Noticer of all—Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24
What about you? Are you a terrible noticer? Or have you developed impeccable noticing skills? Share your tips. And, like Angela, share a shout out to someone who’s noticed you.
Great post! However, I think that sometimes, you won’t be the particular person who is meant to reach someone. I might occasionally notice these situations, but maybe God doesn’t intend to use me. One example comes to mind. I was a cashier at a grocery store and, if I had a customer who rode one of those electric carts/scooters (for the disabled), I would always step around the counter and assist them in loading their items onto the conveyer belt. One man rudely accused me of just “trying to get a pay raise” by making extra effort. He refused to believe that I wanted to help, as I hope someone would help me. I was just not somebody who could reach an understanding with him.
JEAN – this is wonderful!!! What a beautiful post of honesty and vulnerability!! I’d read Jeannie’s post and now your words added to hers will certainly encourage me to notice others and act on that noticing!!
Thanks, Julie! I’m so glad it encouraged you. In our world of cell phones and busyness, it’s always good to be reminded to look up and notice others. Jeannie’s post truly inspired me. I was thrilled to share her with everyone. 🙂
Thanks, Robin! You’re so right. We can’t, and aren’t asked by God, to meet everyone’s needs, especially those who don’t want our help. I pray that man’s seeing you reach out to help your customer stuck with him, even as he accused you of improper motives. I wonder if he was just convicted by your example. Only the Lord knows what was going on in his heart. For those people, we have to offer a smile and entrust them to whoever God has for them to speak into their lives. And perhaps let their behavior remind us to be open to others speaking into our lives—although in that situation, you were right to ignore his unkind words and false accusations. I know you have blessed so many of your customers with your extra effort to serve them! Thank you for sharing and reminding us not to try to take on more than we should.
Jean, great post! Thank you for being vulnerable. Two thoughts. I think on a day-to-day walk, our spiritual gifts lead us to step it, to notice or not. For me, the gift of mercy can lead me into lots of situations that are such a blessing to me and the other person. If I act on my own, not listening to the Holy Spirit, it can get me in way over my head. The other thought is how I began noticing. It was when my children were small and I wanted them to learn to watch for others to help. It could be as little as a door opened, return someone’s cart, find coins and give them to someone, talk to the baby who needs a nap, buy someone a lunch, and on. It paid off. My children are in their 30’s with kids of their own. An example of watching is my son stopping on the way home from work, mid summer. He saw an elderly lady cutting her front lawn. He just got out of his truck, asked if he could take over, and did it. My daughter is teaching her son the same things. Let me be clear…this has been God’s work and an example He put in my heart.
Ms. Jean, I can’t say that I’m a “terrible noticer”, or at least I try not to be, but your honesty an heart just earned you another subscriber to your blog ma’am. Thank you for sharing your heart with your readers; and I look most forward reading, learning more, and coming alongside you in prayer ma’am. God’s blessings.
Wow, JD. This means so much to me. I’m glad my transparency has blessed you. I’d never want anyone to think I imagine myself as having it all together. In fact, that’s why I love my “Jean” logo so much with its crooked “e” held up by a red thread. Apart from Christ, I’d . . . well, let’s not go there. Suffice it to say, I’d be ugly! I can get quite ugly even with Him because I’m human, and humanness can’t be too trusted. Thanks so much for your encouragement. And your prayers! Please, do pray for me and with me.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart. I could’ve used you in my life a lot earlier. I love how you trained your children to be noticers, which has led them to be adults who love to serve. What a wonderful gift you’ve given them. And that your children are passing on to their children. It’s so important. Also, I agree with you that if we try to act on our own, we could wind up getting in way over our heads. My trusting nature has gotten me into trouble before because I didn’t listen to the Holy Spirit’s nudging. We must listen to the Holy Spirit and use the wisdom He gives—and then obey Him. Thanks again for sharing. God is doing a great work in and through you and your children. To Him be the glory! Amen. 🙂
Jean, You were brave enough to own up to your less than stellar performance in the grocery store. What a great example for us! How often have we done similar “escapes” without even thinking about how our action may impact others (or not). You’ve helped us be better noticers. Thank you for sharing.
Jean you made my day. Week. Perhaps even month.
I love those who are authentic and real in their writing, and your story made me laugh until I cried. I’m soooo not an introvert but I do respect germs. I won’t tell you I wouldn’t have switched lines but I will tell you thank you for the lesson.
Aren’t you glad His mercies are new every morning? We must need ‘em. I sure do.
K
I have a quick ‘ask’. May I use that ‘scooting and praying’ idea?
It’s so loaded with meaning and I’d love to use it.
I love it when God redeems my ugh moments by using them to create blessings for others. I’m glad I was able to help you be a better noticer. I wish I could go hug all those people who noticed Angela which led to Jeannie’s post which led to my grocery store notice fail and my post. We never really know where one action will lead, do we. Thanks so much for your kind words! Happy noticing!
Hahaha! Yes, I’m so grateful His mercies are new every morning! I’m pretty sure I use them all up every day, which may be why He needs new ones every morning. LOL. What a great God we serve. Thanks for your encouragement! It means a lot to me.
Yes, of course, you may use the scooting and praying. I’d love to see how you use it when you’re done. 🙂 Blessings!!