Gratitude Day 660

John 4:25-26 – The woman said, “This is all so confusing, but I do know that the Anointed One is coming—the true Messiah. And when he comes, he will tell us everything we need to know.”

Jesus said to her, “You don’t have to wait any longer, the Anointed One is here speaking with you—I am the One you’re looking for.”

I love it when I feel that a day has been a good day.

Who doesn’t?

So often, at the end of the day, I ponder if there was anything meaningful about the day. As I think about the day’s highlight, did something happen that made a difference?

Let’s be honest. Some days will feel like we have. Other days, not so much.

And it’s OK.

When I think about the days that are the most meaningful for me, I see a pattern. Something happened in those days where I feel that I touched some person’s life. It’s a short conversation. A little interaction. A card that expressed gratitude. An anonymous moment that touches another person’s heart. My good days always include a little moment when I touched another person’s heart and life.

Some days, these moments are obvious. Easy to determine. Ones that you remember. Other days, it’s a stretch to try and figure out if anything was effective.

Here’s what I’m thinking about these days: when I have a moment that touches my heart and mind, I savor it. I replay it in my mind so it will not drift away. I even journal about it so there is a written record that I can go back to. I value and appreciate the smallest of situations and cherish them. No one else needs to be aware of them. Only I need to capture them into my heart and mind.

Too often, we spend time and energy looking for a situation where we will be acknowledged by someone else for doing something good. Important. Note-worthy. But honestly, aren’t the behind-the-scenes ones even more fun and interesting?

Most of us will not have a big position. Or have our name on the side of a building. Few of us will have a name that anyone outside of our circle of friends who. I am OK with this … and I hope you are as well. Life isn’t about catching one massive fish. It’s about catching a whole bunch of blue gills and croppies, pan fish, which can be eaten right away and provide nourishment. Fish that aren’t super pretty or flashy. But dependable. Trust-worthy. Reliable.

If you want to be a in-the-limelight person, you go for it. For the rest of us? It’s OK to be content and happy with just normal things. Little things. The things that help create meaning in our lives. What that is for you will not be the same as for me. And this is OK!

Jesus purposefully ran into a Samaritan woman at the local well. It was during the heat of the day. She came to the well then, hoping she would not run into anyone else. She didn’t anticipate running into a Jewish man, who then spoke to her. You see, Jewish men did not speak to Samaritan woman. The women were considered unclean. This particular Samaritan woman had been married multiple times, which means she was even less desirable.

Yet, this man takes time to talk with her. Chat. Share with her who he was. It might have been confusing for the woman, but she received this information very early in Jesus’ ministry. It set the tone for so much of what Jesus would do for the next three years: be an advocate for the ordinary person. The one who has no special bells and whistles. The one who just shows up and does his or her best. And doesn’t expect anything in return.

This is what Jesus did. What a significant role model for us! May we find our “Samaritan” woman today; someone that we can encourage or listen to or pray for. Nothing fancy. Nothing big. Just the opportunity to have our heart and mind sore because it feels like we accomplished something.

This is what I’m going to do today.

Will you join me and do the same?

For the reminder that the joy of life often comes from some little interaction with another person, I am grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Dear God – May I discover the opportunity to help another person today. Please help me chase after the right things and not the things that might give me recognition. May bringing joy to one person’s life be enough. Amen.

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