The Power of Moments
Something profound happened this week when I least expected it.
I somehow left my house without my coffee, which pretty much spells disaster at 7:30 a.m. with a two-hour drive ahead of me. So, as I stopped at the McDonald’s down the road from my house, I was excited that the drive-through line was moving quickly. In fact, I could see a hand holding my medium coffee with two cream and two Splenda before I even pulled to the window.
“You have the prettiest smile and sparkling eyes,” the woman holding my coffee said as she handed it to me.
Taken aback by her kindness, I looked at her - really looked at her. Then I quickly explained to her how her comment touched my heart. See, as a kid, no one would have ever said I had a pretty smile. In fact, my smile was hard to look at. My crooked teeth were a jumbled mess stacked on an overbite that only made it worse.
I was a young adult before we were able to straighten my teeth. By then, the damage to my self-esteem had been done. Even today, I struggle to look in the mirror and see myself as I am, which is why, as I explained, comments like this one are such a blessing to me.
I drove away from McDonald’s so thankful for my interaction with this woman. I’ve been thinking about her ever since and even went back a few days later to tell her so, but she wasn’t working. Here is what I want her to know - and I think it’s worth us all considering:
Kindness really matters. This woman took the time to look at me and see something good- and then she was brave enough to tell me. She made an effort to connect with me and it changed my entire week.
Sometimes we need people to tell us how God sees us instead of how we see ourselves. She saw beauty in me that I can’t see in myself. She reminded me that I am no longer that 13 year-old-girl who hated how she looked and was afraid to smile.
We can all make a difference in the lives of people around us. Let’s face it, working a drive-thru window isn’t glamorous or often truly appreciated. It is hard, often thankless and underpaid work. Yet this didn’t keep this woman from shining her light into my morning. Her example is inspiring.
Do you have a story of someone who has made an unexpected impact on your life? If so, I’d love to hear about it! And if anyone reading this knows the sweet woman who works mornings at the McDonald’s on West Worley (in Columbia, MO), please tell her I said thank you!