“Oh no” I moaned, standing in front of the open refrigerator. “No milk!” Next the cabinet, “no cereal!” A look at the fruit basket on the table. . . “No bananas!” You got it. “No breakfast!” Already running behind, I was off to the store, not in the most amiable moods. A few hurried moments later, I was standing in the express lane, my arms loaded down with milk, cereal (that I didn’t even like) and green bananas.

The cashier and customer in head of me were having the best time. They were laughing and talking like they were long lost friends. “You are sure in a good mood today,” said the customer. “Yeah” I thought. “Isn’t it disgusting?”(Oh cynical me!)

“Gee, I hadn’t noticed” replied the cashier. “Well, yes I am I guess you are right.”

“Did you win the lottery?” laughed the customer as she picked up her bag of groceries.

“No,” reflected the cashier, “my customer, the first one of the day was in such a good mood- well, I suppose it rubbed off.”

“Yes,” responded the customer as she walked away, “It sure makes all the difference.”

Driving home, I CONSIDERED the two things which came to me as I reflected on that conversation:

First, I CONSIDERED how we have the power to influence people by our attitudes and through our actions towards others we can bring sunshine or rain clouds into their lives. With such little interaction as a kind word, a pat on the back, a hug, we can send off someone into the day ready and able to handle anything.

Secondly, I CONSIDERED how we, as God’s people, are assured of meeting such a person and having such a send-off each day of our lives. The Psalmist said:

“Let me hear the morning (O Lord) of Thy steadfast love, for in Thee I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to Thee I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143: 9 & 10)

The Psalmist is saying that every morning, God is there and can transform our day- that is, if we make him our “first customer of the day. “ God is there, if we will read of Him; think of Him; and speak of Him, especially when we are running behind, gulping down cereal we don’t like, covered with hard, green bananas.

Wendell Mettey
2-4-1990
Revised 3-2013

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