It wasn't my most glamourous moment. It was a memorable one.
Blessed to have an incredible job before, during and after college, I worked at the First National Bank in New Castle, Virginia. They taught me much, encouraged me greatly and displayed great patience during my college years. Whether breaks, summers or special situations, I was blessed to work with the folks of Craig County.
My responsibilities included checking department, courthouse errands, proof box assistance, occasional trips to the neighborhood grocery store for breaks or other special projects. Due to the nature of one project, it was more feasible to change into "old clothes," (meaning jeans and a t-shirt), from my usual dressy clothes before organizing a room of historical files.
As shocking as it may be, I yielded to great temptation one day. :) There was a short footstool in the room, used to place files on lower shelves. I was sitting on the footstool in deep concentration, of course, when a fellow employee in an adjoining room called for me. Considering whether to get up, walk to the other room to assist the employee, or simply "glide" into that room on my trusty wheeled footstool, my final calculation directed me to quite professionally glide to their desk. What I didn't calculate, however, was that the first room was carpeted and the adjoining room had tiled floors...which would increase speed once I left the carpeted floor. As I whirled into the next room with unexpected, yet accelerating speed, I was challenged to slow down in order to stop at the specific desk. My efforts failed. Instead, my path lengthened considerably...and I surprisingly passed the lobby doorway where customers saw a rapidly moving object with a college-age student riding by rather unexpectedly.
My boss, aka President of the bank, made a turn from his office when I "flew" by. I knew it was not a professional banker's moment. Being the wonderful man he is, my boss returned to his customer, finished the transaction and then walked back to the room where I had speedily returned to work on the special project. This could be serious, I thought. He then broke into laughter as he told me what joy and excitement I brought to their working environment. I don't know which was more humorous--his reaction to the speeding bullet passing the lobby doorway...or watching my face turn quite crimson as I realized I had way too much speed as I soared onward. Let's just say that laughter, joking and a nickname followed that day for a very long time.
I enjoyed providing comedy relief for the employees and customers that day and others. I love laughter. I love watching people laugh...laughing with them...but never at them. Yet mere seconds of a Hallmark commercial produce tears streaming down my face. I laugh easily. I cry easily. And I find both very helpful.
When I consider Jesus walking this earth, I imagine He laughed often with His friends. I know that He wept. He knew the value of life's celebrations...and life's losses. He realized there were moments to express appropriate, healthy and valuable responses as we travel this journey. His example, as well as others whom I also greatly admire, teach me much. They live. They laugh. They love. They cry. They embrace laughter and tears, celebration and mourning, silence and dancing. May I trust Him as each step of this life unfolds. May I embrace each moment knowing His Presence and peace surround me.♥~thl
..."a time to cry and a time to laugh.. a time to grieve and a time to dance"... Ecclesiastes 3: 4
No comments:
Post a Comment