Be Like Belinda!

A few weeks ago, I had the enviable task of stopping by LabCorp to get some blood work drawn. I made sure to get there first thing in the morning only to find the office packed with all those fasting from food. I bet they wanted to eat their Wheaties sooner rather than later! Great. I didn't plan for the fasters; just wanted to get blood drawn and high tail it out of there. Not sure how long I waited, but I was definitely feeling impatient and irritated at the host of people ahead of me.

 

Finally! I was ecstatic to hear my name called and "get" to go back to the "chair". I was greeted by Belinda, who was so kind, gentle and personable. Even her conversation with me was upbeat. I quickly forgot about my inconvenience and the prick into my hard-to-find vein and sincerely enjoyed my conversation with Belinda. As I walked out of LabCorp that day, it occurred to me how that one brief encounter with someone bright and cheerful actually changed the course of my day. As I drove off, I felt like God was challenging me to be more like Belinda.

 

A few days ago, I "got" to return to LabCorp to get some more blood work drawn. Belinda was at the desk and remembered me. I decided to share with her how she had made a difference in my day on my first visit. I told her I was so ticked off that morning having to wait, but once I got to the "chair" and in her presence, things got better. I told her…"Belinda, you probably had no clue what an impact you had on me that day. I want to tell you how your upbeat spirit really helped break through my negative attitude." She was blown away. She said "No one has ever told me something like that before…."

 

My experience at LabCorp challenged me to be different. I learned through Belinda that you can affect someone positively in a very short amount of time. If I have five or ten minutes with someone, how can I make a difference in their day? Will I look for ways to encourage or just talk ad nauseam about myself? Can those precious moments with someone I may never see again have lasting effects in their life? How often do we turn a blind eye to the very people God puts in our midst because we're way too busy? Do we honor those around us with the love that Christ would have for all people? Finally, how often do we tell others what a difference they made in our day? People long to be encouraged and valued for who they are and what they do.

Ask God today to make every encounter with every person matter. Become a student of loving people well. Engage with others, listen and look for ways to encourage people. Get outside yourself and prefer others ahead of yourself. Choose to honor others different than you, rather than pick apart their beliefs and ways. Go ahead and make a difference in someone's life today. Be like Belinda.

 

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

 

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.