We sell our used books online. What can I say? I have always been a reader and somehow can collect books faster than my shelves collect dust. Some remain keepers, others I give away, and others are sold.
My husband, in an effort to save me trouble, takes the packaged books to work. He has an employee who takes a daily run to the post office for the business.
“Bob” [not his real name] is a quiet and older man. A gentleman. He is quiet and unassuming. Totally reliable. Always shows up. He’s there in the early morning, literally before the crack of dawn, to empty each and every trash bucket. He straightens up the facility, makes runs for coffee, and does any other odd job which may need to be done.
And he has been there for years.
Last week though, my husband decided to run my package to the post office himself. The clerk looked at the package, recognized the return address and asked, “No Bob today? Is he OK?”
My husband was surprised by the question and the clerk continued, “Everyone knows Bob.”
She then made mention how Bob always checks up on how everyone is doing, making friendly and easy conversation each time he comes in. “Go into Burger King. Everybody loves Bob in there too.”
Come to find out, everyone knows Bob and loves seeing him.
My husband, upon returning to his car, called me to tell me what had taken place. It immediately brought to mind the very last episode of This Is Us. And yes, I am a fan of the show as well as everybody else who has ever seen an episode.
It is in the last episode, upon which William has passed away, and the mailman comes to the door. He asks about William as he had not seen him about for a few days. Upon hearing the news from Randall of his passing, the mailman tears up and says, ““People don’t stop just to talk anymore, you know,†the mailman said as his lip trembled. “We became friends. He always asked about my daughter.â€
And he’s right.
Common pleasantries are becoming a thing of the past. We are in such a rush as we run errands, take our walks, or stop at the post office. We no longer see those around us. They become a blur. Perhaps even invisible.
But not to people, like [Bob], who have discovered –
One of the greatest ways to bless others is to simply “see” them.
“I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25: 40, NLT)
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and #RaRaLinkup and Tea and Word .
What a sweet story and a great reminder to get to know the people we come into contact with. I haven’t seen This is Us, but I bet I would love it. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
It is a thought provoking program for sure. One that requires a box of tissues on hand 🙂
Joanne, I’ve been convicted this year that I need to be more approachable and open when I’m out and about. Homeschooling keeps me pretty tied to the house most days, and gives me the incorrect notion that it’s impossible for me to have any kind of impact on the world outside. You’ve given me one more example of the truth that I don’t have to stand on a soap box or get on an airplane to show the love of Christ.
Michele, I feel tied to the house most days as well. But … it is in the dailyness of life that we can be most effective. I remind myself that God determined my days and place so He has put me in this moment to be effective for Him.
This is so true, we are a hurry generation, I have been guilty of this, but yes lets simply see people.
Jennie, reading your thought made me realize that we have become a people who “scroll”. We scroll through our social media but do we really “see” those who are even there? So much to think about when it comes to seeing the way Jesus sees.
You speak truth today. We need more “Bobs and Williams” in our lives and I need to be more like them. It also reminds me of the show Cheers-where everyone knows your name! This is Us has changed the face of TV this year and why can’t we change the face of our neighborhood by being approachable and friendly?
Oh Mary, so very true! Cheers was another show that made us all realize how we want to be seen and known by others. Perhaps the Lord is again reminding many of us through a popular show that we are to be a people who are approachable and friendly, much the way Jesus was in His day. So grateful you shared!
Now if I had someone who would package my books and go to the post office for me, I’d sell more online too. ha. What a treat! This Is Us made me cry all season long. Can’t wait for it to begin again. What a blessing to have a Bob in your life! Thanks for sharing this, Joanne.
Lisa, a box of tissues always needed to be close at hand each week as we watched each week. I have been challenged that rather than needing a Bob, I want to be a Bob 🙂
This is convicting to me, because I tend to have my blinders on in getting-down-to-business mode while out. In fact, I am sorry to confess, when someone tries to engage me in a conversation while I am shopping or running errands, I tend to think of them as taking up my time and interrupting my oh-so-important tasks. I constantly need to remind myself that my introvertedness is not an excuse to close myself off from people and to take time to smile and interact in caring ways.
Joanne – you are so right – there is nothing more powerful than to “see” someone. well, and to listen… but first we must see them. I love this story of Bob, and you are so right, in our society, we have gotten too self focused or task oriented that people often get in the way of the things that need to be done. I know I am guilty sometimes of this very things, but my heart is to be like Bob, always. Thank you for sharing this testimony of the power of “seeing” others. Blessings to you – I found you today at #TeaAndWord
What a heart warming story Joanne! My husband and I were just talking about this, we are all too busy to spend quality time together. We both remember childhoods filled with relatives almost every weekend.
Everyone is just too busy, and we’re missing each other in the busyness.
I yearn for friends that stop over without an agenda to sit and talk and be real!
#TeaAndWord