We all have something to contribute.
Last weekend, there was an awards banquet for our high school band. I arrived early to help decorate and get set up. Everyone was asked to bring a dessert to share. As people started arriving, the goodies started rolling in.
One mom handed me a box of store bought cookies and kind of hung her head a little, as she commented that she guessed there would be a lot of cookies. I told her that was what I had brought. I shared with her that I had been to church and running around all day, and that I was busy and I suspected a lot of other people were too. I reminded her that these were teenagers and they would be more than satisfied with store bought cookies.
I watched her instantly brighten at those few words of encouragement and she held her head up a little higher as she went to find her seat.
I later surveyed the band feast. It stretched out across six tables. There were homemade goodies like brownies, pudding and cake pops, but there were also bags of Chips Ahoy cookies. Someone even brought a bowl and filled it with miniature candies like M&M’s.
The line stretched to the door and the kids loved it all. No one commented on any particular dessert as not being worthy to be there. Nope, plates were piled high and some people even made a second trip.
I thought about that spread and my conversation with that mom, long after the afternoon was done. I thought about how we all have something to contribute no matter how small or insignificant we think that might be and how comparison is always the wrong choice.
If everyone who brought store bought cookies, elected to bring nothing, because they were embarrassed that they weren’t homemade, there wouldn’t have been enough. The purpose of the banquet was to celebrate the kids not the baking skills of their parents.
I also thought about what a huge difference a few words of encouragement can mean to someone who may be struggling. I didn’t know that lady or what her situation was and I was busy, but it took me like two minutes to offer her some encouragement.
I wonder how often I miss the opportunity. It’s so easy in our hectic, busy lives to look straight ahead and focus on our to-do list and not notice the people who might be in our paths, people who might be struggling or hurting, people who may need a simple kind word.
We can all choose to make a difference in the lives of people who cross our paths or we can choose to do nothing. Some store bought cookies reminded me to pay attention. Perhaps you needed reminding too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂