Frustration.

I witnessed a great amount of frustration in people this week. Spring break is full of travelers. Lots of travelers on time schedules. So when the airlines ENTIRE computer system goes down across the country, people get slightly frustrated (sarcasm). Very few still smile. I saw pushing and arguing and even an attempt to ‘help’ others as they walk up by suggesting they ‘get in line with the rest of us.’ Yikes.

The airline people, behind the counter, were doing their best, waiting like the rest of us for some sign of the system going back up…and when it did, chaos hit! Travelers, seemingly, lost their minds, as airline personnel attempted to right the ship..or plane.

A wonderful lesson for us to teach our kids is to appreciate ALL people. (and perhaps to stop and smell the roses in sticky situations)

I had an opportunity to teach my girls this simple lesson when we recently pulled up to a tollbooth line. Yes I said line. Only one lane open and 20 cars waiting. When we finally made it to the head of the line, our attendant, Jose, and I had a delightful conversation.

Me: Hi, I bet you meet a lot of grumpy people.

Jose: Well some days (as he glances at the growing line of cars behind me)

Me: Well I am going to give you a big smile. (Big smile)

Jose: (His face lights up and he smiles) Thank you very, very much.

Simple. Let’s help our kids understand God’s instruction to 'Love our Neighbor' which really does mean everyone. Thank the person cleaning the bathroom, smile at the person who is stuck alone in a tollbooth or compliment the checker at the grocery store.

I absolutely love what my dear friend Shanon teaches her kids – You have 10 seconds to make a first impression. Use that 10 seconds to make the other person feel like he or she is on top of the world. (my translation)

Brilliant. Simple. Christ-like.

Whispers for the little ones: Compliment others in your baby’s ear. Say things like, Isn’t she helpful. She took such good care of us. Isn’t he handsome?

*This past year the families at Peachtree Presbyterian Church took the challenge together to look at choosing your faith in Jesus as a keepsake to be intentionally handed down to your kids. Part of that process included weekly emails to encourage bringing God into the center of our normal lives. These posts include some of those weekly emails and will continue as my Keepsake Token section. April trinket = flower pot.