There were only a few minutes left in the game and we wanted to get closer to the field as the players walked off. As we were moving through the stadium, I recognized a guy that I had just met the week before. He had a son on the team that played well that day. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this guy.
In fact, my initial feeling toward him was that he annoyed me (I know, I know, give him the benefit of the doubt). I told myself to tell him his son played a great game, but as we passed him, I hesitated. We just kept walking and I missed my opportunity.
As we stood around after the game waiting on the players, I saw another man. We had met him on the plane the night before and he also had a son on the team. He was in the Army and didn’t seem to know many people in Stillwater, Oklahoma. As he walked by, I started to make conversation and offer a connection, but I hesitated. He walked past and disappeared into the crowd, giving me my second missed opportunity of the day.
Now, in a full-fledged conversation inside my head about why I hadn’t spoken to these two guys, I thought back on all the times I’ve driven by people who looked like they needed help. Then I thought about how I didn’t stop because I was busy, in a rush, or just hesitated.
“Should I stop? Nah, they have someone coming. Yes, stop. You’re going to be late. You should have stopped. Okay, turn around.”
You’ve been there, too. Because I was more concerned with myself than others, I missed two opportunities to reach out. I missed two opportunities to be kind and help others feel connected.
Not engaging in small talk with someone seems like a small gesture, but it could be the one thing that person needed that day. I mentally kicked myself, found the initial family waiting for their son, and told them how well I thought he played. We all struck up a conversation and it was the start of a new friendship.
Yesterday morning, I saw a woman in the parking lot who was struggling with something. She was on the phone and having a hard time communicating. So, after the lessons of the prior day, I went outside and helped her. I left her my number to call if she had any other issues and hopped on my flight to DC.
As I was landing, I turned on my phone and received the sweetest text from her. She had a lot that needed to be done before leaving town and was really worried. My small gesture helped her get done what she needed to. She wanted to take the time to say thank you. I’m so glad she did.
You just never know the impact you can have on others. Look for ways to do good for people. Don’t hesitate just say hello, just stop and ask if they need help, just assist in carrying the load, just tell someone thank you. It’s the little things that so often make a huge difference.
You never know why God has you precisely where you are in the moment.
Be humble, think of others as better than yourself and consider their interests, not just your own convenience or comfort.