The process I was working through kept hitting bumps. Most of them were language related, but some cross the threshold into annoying. The annoying ones were not, in the greater story, material. However, they were annoying! As I summarized the progress being made and what was outstanding, I found myself whinging. Even as I tried to let them go, I had to make my point on the annoyances.
To my surprise, my collaborator took the time to address the one point he controlled. It was a nice gesture. As I took note and responded, I found myself reflecting on the different ways others touch my life. The lesson reminders which emerged from the revisited memories included the following.
I am gifted far more often than I know. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, people care. Common courtesies, gestures of respect, and kindness are being expressed and gifted all the time. At times, one feels as if it should be part of the service. In the absence of the gift, one feels annoyed or something even stronger. Each moment contains an opportunity to see how our cup is being filled with care and kindness.
When I acknowledge the gift from another, it changes how I see myself. In the past twenty-four hours it happened on two occasions. In a situation of extreme annoyance, I missed an opportunity to recognize the care and kindness being expressed as part of fixing an unintentional outcome. As part of caring for my heart, I want to do more in this space. Each acknowledgement is a healing balm which heals and restores.
Gifting others with a heartfelt thankfulness is the best response to their gift. When I read the psalm, I can see the model being replayed on a bigger stage. “They’ll sing of what you’ve done: ‘How great the glory of God!’” (Psalm 138.5). We are invited to join thw stage. We can sing of the ways care and kindness appears in our lives. We can tell how God’s children have made our lives richer and more complete.
