Don’t Let It Ruin Your Day
Last Wednesday I had to go to a doctor’s appointment. I woke up early in a great mood. This was a great thing because honestly, I am not a morning person. I got dressed and headed out the door for my appointment. When I got to the medical facility everyone that I came in contact with, was so kind and extremely helpful. I was having a great day!
I had to have a blood draw, and later meet with a nurse practitioner. Afterward, I was instructed to go to another area of the medical facility. As I went to my seat, I had a strange experience. I had to walk in front of an older lady who was already seated. As I approached her, we both made eye contact. I automatically looked at her, and smiled, and said hello. She had no response. She just looked at me. Initially, I thought that maybe she couldn’t hear me, or even see the smile that I gave her because it was all covered by my mask. She continued to look at me, but there was still no response. I thought maybe she didn’t hear me. I did not want to appear rude, so I have spoken to her again, this time a little louder and she gave me the same look. This time, however, it was more of a stare. It was a look that said, I see you, but I don’t care to speak to you. Even after I had taken my seat she kept staring at me, as though she deliberately wanted me to know that she was watching me.
For a moment I wondered; what if she is deaf and she simply can’t hear me, or could she possibly have a mental issue. Well, that was cleared up pretty quickly, when a nurse came over to assist her and she was extremely rude to the nurse. She was so rude that another nurse had to step in and get involved. After seeing this encounter, it became very clear to me that not only could she speak, but that she could also hear.
There was a gentleman sitting across from me, who spoke as soon as I took my seat. He seemed to have been a very friendly man. He made a bit of small talk, before reaching into the pocket of his jacket, and pulling out his Gideon Bible to read. When he left, a very nice lady took the seat that he had been sitting in. She and I really connected, we talked and talked, until it was time for me to go. We even shared our contact info. All the while the older lady who refused to speak to me, kept watching as I made friends and interacted with other patients that were there that day.
You see a long time ago, I learned that it’s not what happens to me, but how I respond to what happens to me that matters. I could have easily fallen into Satan’s trap, and let her lack of response to the kindness that I had extended to her, ruin my day. I simply would not allow this lady, to ruin a perfectly beautiful day, that God had blessed me with.
Later that day as I reflected on my morning, some things came to mind that I have listed below. I hope that if you ever encounter a similar situation the following thoughts will be of help to you.
1. No one knows how much pain the lady who would not respond to me, could have been in, or how uncomfortable she was. I do remember her screaming out at one of the nurses that something about her garment was making her feel uncomfortable. We have to remember that we never really know what a person is going through. Don’t judge!
2. When someone is rude or dismissive to you, don’t allow it to ruin your day. I would have missed the joy of meeting and making friends with the other lady if I had become angry or got a bad attitude regarding the first lady.
3. Always be kind. No matter what, let your little light shine. Always be the bigger person.
4. Pray for people who act ugly towards you.
5. When things like this happen, give it to God. Choose to be grateful for the blessing of another day, that God has given you to enjoy. Time is precious, don’t waste a minute of it, angry and upset over things that you cannot control. Remember, the one thing that you definitely cannot control is another person’s actions.
