Each morning as I walk to work, I pass several people who are camped out on benches whom I assume are homeless. One of these men has always seemed different than the others. He has never asked for a handout, always has a smile on his face, and greets me each morning he sees me with a smile and a wave. His name is James.
It has taken me a while to actually stop and talk with James. What do you say to a complete stranger who is obviously struggling? You don't want to put anyone down or unintentionally hurt their pride or self-esteem. As I was walking this morning, it started raining. Actually it was more of a mist, but you could tell that wet weather was going to settle in for the day. As I came to James' bench, he smiled and waved as usual. I wished him a good morning and asked how he was. James just shrugged his shoulders and looked to the sky as to say, "It's raining, I don't have a shelter, but I'm going to be OK." I stopped and introduced myself for the first time. I was wearing a rain jacket, but had an umbrella in my backpack. I asked James if he could use an umbrella. Truthfully, I rarely use it and usually just wear a rain jacket and a ball cap. James smiled and said that he thought it might come in handy today. I just asked him to remove it from my pack and wished him peace.
For me, small inconveniences each day can negatively impact my attitude if I'm not careful. It's easy for a really good day to turn into a crappy day if I focus on the things that go wrong in my day or seem unfair. It's during these times, that I need to be like James. Suck it up. Think of the good things that I do have. Be thankful. Praise God for the beauty around me. Grow my endurance.
In the book of James (sorry, but I couldn't resist!), we are told that "when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." (James 1: 2-4 NLT) In short, be more like James.
