You never know...

The other day the thought hit me that we truly never know what another person is going through. People can smile, and put on their mask, and pretend - and if we don't look closely, we will never recognize the pain that is seeping around the edges.

I've been trying to have a clearer discernment of people this week. It's been a personal goal. I'm a receptionist, so I see a lot of people each day that come in for appointments, or deliver mail, etc. I wondered what would happen if I made it a point to make each person smile. It's a lot easier than you might think. All it takes is a simple "I really like your purse!" or "That green is a great color for you". I was truly amazed at the responses I got. People that looked exhausted, irritable, and moody would suddenly smile and light up the room.

If we all made it a goal to make someone else feel good during the day, what would happen? Just think about it - if the entire world just tried to make one person smile, one time a day - how many lives would change? How many people out there are searching, desperate for a touch, a compliment, a simple sign of recognition? How many people could we snatch from the gripes of suicide by just telling them they look nice? Or that they have a lovely phone voice? Or just by saying "I hope you have a good day" and MEANING it?

I think we as a nation, but also as individuals, have become very selfish. We stay so focused on our own goals, our personal projects, our appearance, money and possessions, that we forget why we're even on Earth in the first place!

God didn't place us here to see who would gather the most "toys" and "win". He put us here to draw us to Himself, and to have us help spread the Word about Him. If we don't really see people, how can we accomplish that mission??

Just a thought...