What Would You Do?

There are times when I feel like my life is somewhat like a sitcom. Here is an example of one of those times.


Not too long ago I was at Panera with my little girl. We had just gotten out of Storytime at the children's library and decided to stop by Panera and grab a bagel for snack. We stood right in front of the bakery case, behind a women who was paying for her order at the cash register. As I looked over the assortment of bagels and goodies, I noticed a plate sitting on the top of the bakery case with a pastry cut up in sample pieces! YUM, samples! I thought, I love it when they have samples, although they ususally have some sort of bread or bagel. So naturally, as I suspect you would do also, I grabbed a sample piece from the plate and shared it with my little girl. It was pretty tasty, and I even considered grabbing another piece but decided not to be greedy since there weren't too many more pieces on the plate.


Anyway, not 30 seconds later the women in front of us finished paying for her order, and then as if in slow motion the rest of the action ensued: the women reached over the bakery case and grabbed the plate that was sitting there, the same plate that I had assumed was a free sample! It was her order! I think I tensed up, feeling very foolish but also wondering why she was still taking it. Oh wait, she obviously hadn't seen me.... either had the girl who was ringing her up. I glanced behind me. Had anyone else seen me? Nope, no one standing in line behind us. Phew! That would have been embarassing. But wait! My next thought was that I should say something, apologize for mistaking it for a sample plate and offer to buy her a new one. I was just about set on doing that, but alas, it was too late. My feelings of embarassment and my running thoughts took up the small chance I had to say something. Before I knew it the women was gone, totally oblivious to the missing piece on her small(er) pastry. Okay, honestly, who cuts up their pastry in sample pieces?!


After she had walked away, I quickly ordered our bagel to go and then left, feeling like I might get discovered on some hidden camera or something. I felt like I was on one of those "What would you do?" shows. If the camera zoomed in on me they would have seen me trying to keep my cool, but my eyes slightly widened with concern of being found out! HA! And it was only a pastry! I am laughing as I am remembering, and that's what I did the whole rest of that day. It has become a good story to tell, although I have to admit that deep down I was a little disappointed in myself for not speaking up. I always plan to do the right thing when faced with a situation, and luckily this wasn't too serious of a situation. I mean, if we should do to others what we want them to do to us, I would have definitely wanted someone to speak up and offer to buy me another bagel if they ate part of mine! So I hope that next time, especially if it is something more serious, I will be able to turn off my debating thoughts and just do what is right. And like the message in my last post, I can't ever judge another person for what they do or don't do. It's so easy to say, "I would have done that different!" But you truly don't know until you are in a situation.

Moments come to us all the time; opportunities to bless and encourage, or lend a helping hand; or chances to apologize and make things right. Mine is a bit of a silly example, but the truth is, unless we go out each day with open eyes and hearts, prayed up to recognize opportunities to do the right thing, we will miss them. I don't know what it would have meant if I had spoken up and bought that lady another pastry. It could have made her day! It could have caused her to want to do the same for someone else! What else have I been missing? Have I been looking people in the eyes when I talk to them to show them that I'm really listening? Have I recognized a need that I know I could fill? Have I used kind words and a tone of voice with others when I'm a little frustrated?

The bible tells us, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. . . ." (Galatians 6:10) and "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is" (Ephesians 5:15-17). Even a small act of kindness can make a huge difference! I hope you are encouraged today to go out and make the most of every opportunity in your daily lives. And I hope my little sitcom brought a laugh to you as well. :-)