A few weekends ago, we drove home to Nashville from Denver, by way of Nebraska. It was a long ride, and I was tired of driving. Quite frankly, I was getting a little fussy and just wanted to be home.
We pulled up to a toll booth and I searched for change, trying not to take too long. Finally, I grabbed my wallet, pulled out a few bills, and handed them to the toll booth operator. She returned my change and without looking up, I stuffed it in my wallet and started to move forward.
That’s when I heard, “Thank you, ma’am, have a nice day” come from the passenger seat.
You know those moments when you realize you’ve just been a complete jerk? When the words are flowing out of your mouth and you want to stop them, but can’t? Yep, that’s what was going on. As we drove away our 18-year-old daughter, Ella, said “That was rude!” And she was right.
Medicine doesn’t typically taste very good, but it’s an extra bitter mix when it’s a taste of your own. I did not leave that toll booth operator better for the encounter. I whiffed on a chance to be kind to a person who was serving me. A person who was standing on their feet for hours to greet me with a smile and collect the funds necessary for our roads to be maintained. A person who was worthy and deserving of my attention and gratitude.
Leaving people better for the encounter starts by seeing people.
Too often, we fail to see the people right in front of us. We are so distracted inside our own heads, and we see right through the people directly in front of us. Worse still, we see them and ignore them. As Ella would say, “How rude!”
The Bible talks about having eyes that see. When I think about this, it has so many applications. One is having eyes that see people the same way God sees them. If only I could do that more often. I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to smile, say thank you, and leave someone better for the encounter. (Thank you, Ella, for calling me out!)
So, how do you see people? Pray you have eyes to see and a heart to leave people better for the encounter.