One morning, I had accompanied my client to a doctor’s appointment. While I was sitting in the waiting room, waiting for her visit to be over a man entered the office. He wore ragged blue jeans, an old shirt, flipflops and his head was buried in his cell phone. He looked to be in his forties. When greeted by the receptionist, “Good morning.”

 

He growled, “Is it?” then he made his way to a seat and went back to gazing down at his cell phone.

 

Only minutes later the door opened and in walked a woman. She appeared to be in her sixties. She was overweight, and laughing as she greeted all. “Good morning,” she shared excited to be in the presence of others just to share her joy. Greeting the receptionist, she asked to see photos of the receptionist’s newborn child. She turned smiling as she made her way slowly to a seat.

 

I thought, wow, rain walked in and now here comes sunshine. What a difference your attitude makes. Both were called into the examination rooms relatively quickly, but the atmosphere had been affected by both of those people. He never looked up from his phone, and she never let go of her smile. They both made an impression upon me.

 

After that visit, I became more aware of how I present myself, especially in public. We may only have that one opportunity to be sunshine to someone. I never saw either of those people again. But they are a part of my memories forever. And I pray that he finds peace and joy, and that she keeps her peace and joy, because it is contagious and definitely appreciated.

 

Prayer:

Father, let me bring sunshine to brighten someone’s day. Let me always keep a good attitude even in the midst of pain. Help me to remember that I am impacting someone else’s life directly or indirectly just because I am in their presence. Help me also to make a loving impression that lingers in their hearts and minds, always. In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, amen!