“You never get a second chance to make a good first impression”. Certainly, we have all heard this phrase many times through the years. Recently, this phrase was referenced on a game show and I thought to myself…..or do we?
It was a dreary afternoon and there was a light rain, Jimmy and I had stopped at the grocery store for just a few items. Being the considerate husband that he is, Jimmy offered to run in for us…..and being the spoiled wife that I am, I was happy to wait in the car. I happened to glance up as a young man crossed in front of our car. He was walking along in the drizzle with his head down and eyes literally glued to his phone. I chuckled to myself as I thought he was so engaged with his phone that he was oblivious to the rain; he was so absorbed that he was unaware of the world around him; my mind leapt to thoughts of how consumed he was by his phone.
I looked toward the store and saw an elderly lady trying to manage her small grocery cart and umbrella in the rain. It was then I realized the young man had begun to hurry to be of assistance to her. He approached her, spoke words that I was unable to hear, and she smiled at him. He then took the handle of her cart guiding it through the parking lot as he held her umbrella over her head. To steady herself, she continued to keep one hand lightly on the cart and the other hand placed on his arm. When they reached her vehicle, he loaded her bags into the car and opened the driver’s door. She thanked him profusely and he seemed almost embarrassed by her gratitude. He resumed his original task of going inside the grocery store only this time he was also returning the elderly lady’s cart. I felt myself smiling as I watched with new eyes and a new perspective the same young man heading into the store. Here was a sweet young man who took the time to assist someone else, whose act of kindness spoke volumes about who he is…..a young man placed just where he was needed and at just the right time.
Is it possible his placement there at that particular time was two-fold…..not only to assist the elderly lady, but to also be a reminder to me as well? Had my mind raced to conclusions about this young man without knowing anything about him? How often do we rush to judgement without knowing?
I felt very humbled and softly uttered, “Forgive me, Lord, I assumed much too quickly. And, please, bless his mama for teaching him to be kind”.
What a blessing that our Heavenly Father’s love isn’t based on first, or even second, or third, impressions. It is hard to imagine that our God knows our very hearts…..our every thought…..our intentions, the beautiful and the not so beautiful, and yet, He loves us without end. His mercy is so vast He is willing to forgive our worst transgressions. His grace is unfathomable as He continues to love us even when we are unlovable. How great is our God?!
Take a moment today to be grateful our Father isn’t as quick to jump to conclusions as we are; even though our Father knows everything there is to know about us – He loves us big anyway!
O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. Psalm 139:1-4
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15
For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths. Proverbs 5:21
