Thursday Thoughts: 10 Years Later

I use to work in a pizza place all through high school.  One of the guys I worked with said something to me that, I've thought about it often.  

I don't remember what day of the week it was, but it was getting busy and he was sitting in a booth reading the local newspaper.  From behind the counter in between answering phones, cutting pizzas & ringing up customers I said "Hey they need you back there".  It was just a call out for an extra set of hands to roll out some crust and top the pizzas.  It was a very casual, non-demanding, didn't even give it a second thought, kind of statement.
His response came in the form most of his responses came, in a low grumbly voice "They don't need me they just need somebody".

I spent the next few years feeling like nobody needed me,  like I wasn't anything special & I was easily replaceable.
People do come and go, but that doesn't mean that they are easily replaced.   Every soul in this world has made an impact whether big or small, and whether they know it or not, they have made a change in this world. 
If you have ever put a jar out to collect spare change you know what I'm talking about.  It's the little things that add up.  25 cents here, 50 cent there, a couple of dollars worth of change from the bottom of your purse (or car cup holder).  Before know it you have saved up enough to take your kids on a small trip or to buy that tv you been wishing for.

So let me tell you this, you are important, you do matter!  And maybe you are replaceable at your job, so what- it is just a job, it does not define who you are.  Maybe you feel like someone else has taken over your role as parent to your child but I want to be sure that you know- you are not replaceable in that role.  The impact you have had on every single person is important.  The smile you gave to the cashier today, the wave at the car passing by, the holding the door for an extra 2 seconds for the person walking in behind you... These things are the little things that make up the big picture of a happy life.
People die, I get that.  We won't be here forever, but while we are here, keep in mind we are each here for a purpose.
You are loved.
You are important.
Your days here are numbered, don't spend them worrying about wealth or the next best thing.  & please don't waste those days over-thinking what someone said 10 years ago, when they probably stopped thinking about it 10 seconds after it left their lips.

Enjoy the little things.

Personal Application:
Think of something that you do well, & share that gift with someone else.  Maybe you can bake, bake something for a neighbor. Perhaps you're good at lifting heavy things (totally visualizing the commercial about lifting things up and putting them down. Ha!).  The next time you see someone needs help lifting something, drop what you're doing and help them, it will matter. 

Parental Application: Help your child find and share their gift.  Let them know that they are special.

Let me leave you with this clip from "The Help".