How To Have A Successful Day

We can be so critical of people. We are quick to judge before knowing the backstory; we notice flaws before strengths; we hold grudges. When someone hurts us, we feel entitled to hold onto it. We use words like “fair” or “deserve”.

I’m in the air right now and I’m looking down at what looks like little boxes and little specks moving along a little line. Below me are thousands of people. Some are getting up and going to work. Some are dropping their kids off at school. Some are still curled up sleeping in bed, and some are curled up on a street corner because they have no bed. I can’t help but think about people when I fly. I wonder how many people are happy, how many people are struggling…

When did we become so insensitive? When did we wake up and decide our lives and our needs and wants are more important? The Bible tells us that we are to be humble, sensitive, and to care for others as we would ourselves. We are to live our lives in a way that is so obvious that there is something different. We are to shine God’s love into a world that needs it so desperately simply because we want people to experience the grace that we have received. The grace that allows joy in suffering and peace in trials. And thank God (literally) for grace. Undeserving, unassuming, nonjudgmental grace.

Be aware of your surroundings today. Yes, I’m sure that traffic was frustrating, but the person next to you just lost someone to cancer. Yes, you got to a seat and have been waiting before the elderly man that just walked in, but he needs that seat more than you. Even just a simple smile or “hello” can make a difference in a person’s day.

Be aware of your surroundings today…If we can restore just one person’s hope in humanity, it’s been a successful day.

So hold that door, smile at that person, give a compliment, help someone carry something, let someone in front of you in traffic, pay for the person’s coffee behind you…live a life that seeks to give with such joy that you sincerely expect nothing in return. If we can restore just one person’s hope in humanity, it’s been a successful day.

“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12–14

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5–6

By Emily Meadows
https://medium.com/@ByBreadcrumbs