“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Renee was at the airport, waiting for a connecting flight when she decided to grab lunch in the cafeteria. She stepped in line behind a young soldier who nodded and greeted her. They exchanged pleasantries and shared where they were headed.
When they came to pay for food, it was clear the soldier had misplaced his wallet. “Let me,” Renee offered, handing the cashier her debit card.
He gave her a worried look, “I don’t know where or even when my wallet meant missing. I had it this morning before I left the house. I can’t go to the base without my identification card.”
“Well, come on,” Renee grabbed her tray and gestured toward the tables. “Let’s think it through while we eat. We can come up with a plan to figure this out.”
As they were finishing their lunch, an older man came through the cafeteria. He stopped at their table and smiled at the soldier. “You left your wallet in the back of my cab. My next fare turned it in. I wanted to make sure you had it before you left. Everything should be there, just like you left it.”
Renee and the cab driver stepped in to brighten the soldier’s day. Is there someone whose day you could brighten this week?
God, when I’m traveling, help me to be on the lookout for those who need a kind word or some help. I don’t want to get so wrapped up in my destination that I forget to pay attention on the journey. In Jesus’ name, Amen.