Say, “Have a blessed day”
I didn’t quite know how this phone call would work out. A couple of factors made this a bit uncomfortable.
I started with Kim. Surprisingly, she was very cordial. Within a minute of what turned out to be an intake interview, she realized she would have to pass me along to Evelyn.
There was that pause when I was put on hold. The silence was good. Mostly. I kept focused. Calm.
“Hello. This is Evelyn. How may I help you today?”
The conversation actually went smoothly. T’s were crossed. I’s were dotted. All was well. All was good.
At a point in the conversation when it was right to insert a little levity, I shared with Evelyn this truth. “Oh, you’re the best!”
Me, a schmoozer? No, she actually was very, very helpful.
Something had been happening in the unspoken conversation between us. Somehow, she knew this wasn’t easy for me. She also heard my sincere gratitude as we were ending the call.
As we were hanging up, I won’t forget what she said. “Have a blessed day.”
I didn’t share my profession. We never talked faith.
But she knew who I was. What I did.
And I knew what she did, too. She loved God.
We all get the company line. The things you can’t say. Church and state, after all.
Evelyn didn’t cross the line—at least not exactly. But it was clear she knows the Cross.
And it made a difference with me. After she said what she did, proverbial clouds parted for the rest of the day. The spring in my step lingered. The smile on my face didn’t fade.
Speaking about God—and especially speaking about Jesus—makes some of us (most of us?) feel tight inside. It’s weird. We worry.
And I’m inviting you to stop feeling this. Instead, just say it. Have a blessed day. God bless you. Jesus has your back.
Let me do this secularly for a moment. Remember that last compliment someone gave you? I’m not talking superficial flattery or schmoozing; I’m talking about what someone said that reached a part of you that lifted you not only in the moment but also long past that comment.
It was a good thing.
Now let me do this religiously. If someone from a different religion spoke a blessing to me, I would do what I hope you’d do easily and graciously. I wouldn’t be offended, offput or insulted. Instead, I would see—and more importantly hear—that person’s faith. This would give me hope. This would also give me what the world needs more of—and that is peace.
Question? Can the world hear your faith, hope and peace?
I say, “Yes.”
I am reminded of Elijah who is instructed to stand on the mountain before the Lord. In short time, Elijah realizes God isn’t in the passing wind. God isn’t in the earthquake. God isn’t in the fire. God is in the whisper (I Kings 19:1-18).
Be a soft part in someone’s day. Say with authenticity and tenderness, “Have a blessed day.”
We don’t have to be God. In fact, we can’t be God.
But we can make a way for others to look out and experience His blessings.
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