If nothing else it’s an interesting story.

I was told by one of my instructors once that “You put in a lot of thought into a small action...but it is often our behavior in small actions that speak volumes…”

And of course it made me think. (What can I say it’s what I do :o)

I remember years ago I was walking back to my car after finishing a show. I’ve been a performing artist my entire life before becoming a Minister and am quite a sight as “Skipper the Clown”. I ran into a man that day who seemed “homeless” who looked at me sideways. No surprise there as this clown smiled and walked by. But as I did so something hit me inside.

The man walked up to me and said “Do you have any change? I needed to buy some sugar at the store over there and didn’t have enough money. I just want some sugar for,” he paused “for my coffee I want to get?” I looked at him, still smiling tenderly because I knew there was something fishy about that and said. “No I don’t have any change but have a nice day” Do you need anything else, can I give you a ride? He declined looking a bit down but alright. And I shook his hand smiling like the clown I am and moved on.

As I walked away down the sidewalk I suddenly stopped in my tracks. Something hit me inside. I thought for a second and turned around to look. He was still there and I smiled one more time at him.

After getting back to my car I was compelled to drive to that store. I went in and I bought some sugar. I then went back and found that man. I walked up to him as he looked down not so sure he wanted to see me. I said “Hello again I found some change and bought you that sugar. And here is the receipt in case you want to take it back and get something else later”. I also found this.” I gave him some extra change. “I hope your day will be a good one”. I smiled again and in my Clown voice said goodbye and he looked at me stunned and not at all sure what to say as his eyes passed from sugar to clown and back again.

I have never really analyzed why I needed to do that since then. However that day I remember thinking “He’s got a choice to make now. He can go and use the sugar for “whatever” it was he was going to do or he can choose to do something else”. “There something really awful about that” I thought. What if he does something stupid? And then a voice came to me saying “That isn’t up to you. You gave him the choice I asked you to give him”. I hoped the best even though I confess a tiny part of me thought the worst and with a smile of knowing I drove away.

I will never know what he did that day. I do know that I paid attention to a little thing. In the end I paid attention to what I was “called” to do, both in the action and the thought. I gave someone a choice and that is no small thing.
How about you out there?
What small perhaps unusual actions have you put forth?
Have you found they made a difference to yourself and / or to others?
Do you know how they affected the other people involved?
Please share.

I’m not sure why I am compelled to put this here today actually. Someone is going to find something in it though. That, I am sure of. :o)

And as I wrote a new friend recently:

You are needed
Be there
That’s all you need do

Be blessed Rev. Anna :o)