Did You Know You’re Contagious?
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
Rejoice /in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NIV).
Friend to Friend
Have you ever noticed just how contagious grumbling is?
Someone
complains, and the next thing () you know you’ve joined in and are
complaining right along with them.
* next thing (one) knows; All of a sudden; out of nowhere; without warning.
How do you think that grumbling started with the children of Israel
in the wilderness? I think () it went like this.
One person picked up her
manna /for the day and said, “You know, I’m sick of this manna.” Then
someone else picked up his
and said, “Come to think about it, I’m sick
of it too.” Then a neighbor agreed and it spread, and it spread, and it
spread.
Next thing you know 2 million people are grumbling and
complaining. Then a sea of ingrates wandered /around the desert for
forty years.
* come to think of it; Remember or consider on reflection.
But just as grumbling ingratitude is infectious, so is grateful
gratitude. One day I was in the airport headed to New Jersey.
It was a
typical rush, rush, rush morning. Grab the bags, trudge through
traffic, hunt for a parking space, follow the herd,
wade through
security, dash /to the gate.
* hunt for someone or something; 1. to chase someone or something for sport. 2. to look for someone or something.
* wade through something
1. to walk with effort through a substance, such as water, mud, garbage, etc.
2. Fig. to struggle through something with difficulty.
Folks aren’t usually very friendly in airports. Eyes look straight
ahead. Purposed feet slap the floor.
Overstuffed bags roll behind. It’s
not that people are grumpy. They’re just “flatish.” (That’s a new word
for today.)
On this particular morning, I looked just like everyone else. “Flatish.”
Before settling in at my gate, I decided to make one last trip to the
restroom. I’m so glad () I did.
It was one of the most joy-filled places () I
had been in /a long time.
Gretchen, the “hostess” for this privy, donned a silly little hat /on
her head /with whimsical feathers /waving about the top.
If it wasn’t
for the official attendant’s vest () she was wearing, I might have thought ()
she was on her way to Mardi Gras.
With a spray bottle in one hand and a
cloth in the other, Gretchen welcomed each “guest” into her “home.”
“Come right this way,” she cheered /as she opened a stall door /for her
next visitor.
A woman in a green jacket exited a stall and Gretchen swooped in
behind her. Squirt, squirt, squirt /with the disinfectant.
Wipe, wipe,
wipe with her cloth.
“Right this way, madam,” she motioned to the next person in line, “This one is ready for you! Come right in!”
With all the poise of a valet opening the castle doors for a person
of honor, Gretchen welcomed each woman /as if she were the most
important person /in her day. I stood back and watched as this
5-foot-5-inch bundle of joy wiped off toilet seats and cheerfully
invited her next guest /into the pristine stalls. Gretchen had an
effervescent sense of joy … wiping toilet seats.
It seemed to come /from
a deep-seated heart of gratitude. And it spilled over /to every single
woman //who left her station.
Women entered weary and worn and left /with a skip in their step and a
smile on their face.
Some even lingered…as if they wanted to soak in
just a little bit more /before facing the world. I was one of them.
On the counter rested a tip jar /filled to the brim /with thanks. But I
don’t think the “tips” were for wiping the germs away /from the toilet
seats, but for wiping the doldrums away /from their hearts and frowns
/off of their faces.
And for some strange reason, I just wanted to give
Gretchen a hug. I did. She didn’t mind.
Gretchen reminded me just how contagious gratitude and joy can be,
and how desperately I want to be a carrier.
I hope () you do too.
Let’s Pray
God, I am so thankful today. Thank You for eyes that see, ears that
hear, lips that speak, legs that walk, and arms that hug.
Thank You
that I have a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, and food in my
pantry. I pray () You will set a guard over the door of my mouth /so that
no grumbling will escape its threshold. Help me be a contagious carrier
of gratitude.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.