Use it...

A couple of days ago I was reminded of a very real and unique power that exists in our lives.

I was at a local office store to get some copies made. I was in a major hurry to complete an errand in the 30 minutes or less of what was formerly called my lunch hour. As I looked around, the store was packed and the employees were flying around. I stepped to the counter and asked for a print out of my work. That is all I said, and I'm sure in hindsight I barely managed a smile.  Anyway, after what seemed like an eternity the manager/clerk returned with a stack of what looked like over180 single sided pages.  Wow!  I asked her if they had been printed double sided, but I knew they weren't. Her response to me was a big and seemingly nasty no!

I had assumed one thing and she the other.  I was offended that she had assumed single sided and she was offended that I assumed they would be double sided.  Based on what I needed, that big pile of pages was a useless pile of paper. I hastily paid and went back to work.

As faith would have it the whole episode stayed on my mind for the next day.  I came back two days later to the same store to ask the manager to reprint the pages in the format I had intended but failed to communicate.  To my surprise and delight the experience was totally different.

The manager was nicer, engaging, more professional and extremely kind. The reprint was done right, fast, and done at no charge. As I left I began to ask myself why the change?  What was the difference?

Today I realized the change was in me. It was my attitude, outlook and expectation that changed. It was the prayer as I entered the store this time that was different. It was realizing that words, tones and attitudes can make the difference. It was not being in a hurry and not having an impatient spirit that was different.  Proverbs 18:10 tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. I realized just how true that is. When I used my words with care, intention, honesty, and God's love the outcome was a blessing.  Galatians tells us about the fruit of the Spirit; love, peace and patience.  Well if we call out to God and submit to the Spirit, that fruit is a blessing for now and eternity.

I learned in this experience that we have a God given power to bless others.  So remember the power in your words and your attitude, and use it in God's way - the good way.