I recently had an encounter at Starbucks that I found rather interesting. As I was driving towards an open parking space, I saw a large truck come from the other direction and I was about 80% sure that the driver was going to hit me as I tried to park. (That was pretty unnerving considering that I had just gotten my car back from the body shop three days prior after being rear ended.) Luckily, our cars did not meet. The driver of the truck got out and headed towards the door and I was close behind. He was a nice enough but somewhat sad looking gentleman who greeted me and held the door open as I entered. As I was ordering, I heard in my mind (it could have been God, my good mood after getting a new book or simply the fact that I never view my Starbucks card as "real money") that I should pay for his order. While talking to the semi-bored looking girl behind the counter, the happier looking girl opened the other cash register and took the door opener's order. When semi-bored looking girl repeated my order and asked if there was anything else, I told her to add the door opener guy's drink onto my order and handed her my Starbucks card. Door opener guy turned to me and said "You don't have to do that, I can't let you do that!" I replied "Yes you can. Add his total to mine, just swipe the card." Semi-bored looking girl just stood there frozen with my card in her hand and her eyes darting back and forth between us like she was watching a tied match at Wimbledon. Door opener guy turned back to me and said "You don't have to do this, I don't know WHY you would do this." I took my card back, looked at him, shrugged and said "Why not?" That seemed to shut him up. He stopped arguing, tilted his head to the side like my confused puppy used to do and repeated to himself "Why not?" After he was done gazing off into the wild blue yonder for about seven seconds, he looked at me and said "Thank you, you really didn't have to do that." I told him that he was welcome and to enjoy the the rest of his day.
For some reason, my exchange with door opener guy has been on my mind ever since. That wasn't the first time i've done such a thing. I don't normally broadcast it because I feel that doing something nice for someone whether it is as minute as a smile or holding a door open up to bigger, bolder acts of kindness like donating a kidney, is between the giver, the receiver, and God. Something about this guy stuck with me. Maybe it was because he seemed kinda down, maybe it was the fact that he was so resistant to someone extending a small gesture of kindness his way. It could have been the moment of confusion that seemed to transform into a moment of clarity as he repeated my response to him of "'Why not?" I wasn't aiming to be profound, just being honest. All in all, I wish door opener guy very well in his life, wherever it takes him. In addition to that, I hope anyone reading this will think about whatever it is in their own life and truly ask such a question and stop hesitating with whatever is keeping you from moving to the next level. Realizing the answer to that question could be the key to unblocking your blessing. So, why not?
No comments:
Post a Comment