Make a plan…

Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24

We had just left a funeral of a dear friend’s father.

Sitting in the drive through at chic-fil-a, my mind was swirling.

Funerals tend to make you think about your own life.

How will I be remembered? What would I change? What really matters?

The young man began to take our order in the drive through line. He was frustrated because his ipad was not working to be able to process our order. He never even looked up at us.

Beads of sweat were pouring down his face and I could tell it had already been “:one of those days” for him.

He was trying to maintain his composure due to the frustration of his ipad not cooperating.

I noticed his name tag. His name was Isaiah.

Finally, trying to break the tension, I said….

“Your name is Isaiah? I love your name. What a great name! Straight from the Bible!”

For the very first time since we enountered him to take our order, he looked up and smiled this huge smile.

His eyes lit up and he responded, “Yep! and my middle name is James! Two great biblical names!”

For just a second, his attitude and his heart shifted.

Mine did as well.

I realized something in that very moment…

God calls us by our names. He has our names engraved on His palms. (Isaiah 49:16)

Something really cool happens when others call us by our names as well.

We feel noticed.

We feel loved.

We feel seen.

I also realized that it takes only something very small to make someone smile.

Just saying Isaiah’s name, made him smile. His face lightened and his countenance changed.

I have been so challenged and encouraged to start my day with a plan to care and encourage others.

If I don’t “plan” to care for others, notice others, encourage others, it just won’t happen.

Our days can get hectic and frenzied.

People can annoy the heck out of us. (we annoy the heck out of others too!)

However, if we start our day in prayer, asking God to show us someone to love on, to encourage, to notice today…HE WILL.

Maybe it is just a smile. Maybe it is saying someone’s name that serves us.

Maybe it is a gift, even a small gift, like a cup of coffee for someone in the drive through.

Small gestures make a HUGE impact.

When my Dad was sick in the hospital two Summers ago, so many people showed our family love. I will never forget it.

One friend sent me a pair of tennis shoes in the mail….how could she have known that my days were spent walking and walking to ease the stress and the worry.

Jesus must have told her.

Another friend sent money for us to get our cars washed. Our cars were filthy from the driving to the hospital, day after day.

Food was made for us, always at the right moment.

Texts were sent to encourage us and love on us.

Today, let’s make a plan.

A plan to care for someone today.

A plan to notice someone today.

A plan to smile to someone today.

 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

making a plan,

jill