All Weekly Sharpening Posts

March 23, 2023

Delivering More Than Smiles

I have never met anyone who wasn’t happy to see the Amazon truck parked in front of his house.  The postman doesn’t produce the same level of excitement.  He might be delivering bills.  But the Amazon guy?  He’s delivering smiles.

Sometimes I forget what I ordered from Amazon.  I’m like a kid on Christmas morning, shaking the box and trying to figure out what’s inside.

It still blows me away that I can order something and get it on the same day.  I used to be impressed that I could get it in two days.  Now that feels like forever.

I can’t help but smile when I see the Amazon truck slowing down in front of my house.  I get the same feeling I did as a kid when the ice cream van would cruise my neighborhood.  But in this case, I don’t have to chase him down for two blocks before he finally pulls over.

But this was my thought the last time I greeted the Amazon delivery guy at my door: what kind of response do people have when they see ME coming?  How does my presence affect the people I come in contact with?  Do I give life or drain it?

This is not part four of the “Honoring Everyone” series, but it could be. [See parts 1-3 by clicking HERE.]

As I interact with people, do they see evidence of my relationship with Jesus?  Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in these interactions: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? 

What about you?

Brennan Manning says, “In every encounter we either give life or we drain it.  There is no neutral exchange.”

I’ve been told that I can be too loud, abrupt or short with people.  One of my best friends told me that my confidence borders on cocky.  I don’t deny these things, but I am working on them.

Our words matter.  Our demeanor matters.  We have the power to build others up or tear them down.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  We need to consider ways to stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24) and pray that the God who gives endurance and encouragement will give us the same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus had (Romans 15:5).

Men, we have a responsibility before the Lord to deliver more than smiles.