One of the great things about my job is that I get to meet wonderful people.  Most of our customers are great.  MOST of them.

But then there are the ones that grab your heart.  The ones that let you connect and give you a little peak into who they are. Those are the ones that come in at least once a week.  I get to know what they like, their style and their little quirks that will be celebrated by a one of a kind piece of clothing or home decor piece that fits them perfectly.

Every day that I go into work, I realize that that day holds the potential to meet a new friend.  Or encourage an old one.  Or give a smile or a hand to all those in between.

Yesterday held two special “gifts” for me.

One was named Lucas.  A precious five week old baby boy whose mother was trying to find a pair of jeans that fit her new body shape.  He still had the remnants of his sweet newborn wrapper.  You know, the delicious newborn smell wrapped up in the softest skin ever created.  I offered to hold him while his mama tried on clothes.  No, this was NOT an unselfish act.  I just desperately needed a baby fix.

I got to hold him for probably 30 minutes or so.  As I lifted him out of his car seat, his entire little body rolled up like a potato bug.  He nestled into my neck like he belonged there.  I was in heaven.  And all over again, I was overcome by the awe of all the life inside of such a small package.  Almost as if he were the first baby I’d ever held or laid eyes on.  And as my body instinctively rocked back and forth with him in my arms, all I could do was thank Jesus for precious little moments like this.  Where the craziness of life stops for just a bit and God reminds us what life is really all about.  We want everything to stop right then and there, not wanting the moment to pass.  Savoring every single drop of it.

And in the middle of those moments with Lucas, another magical moment happened.  One of our Friday regulars approached me and admired the beautiful little guy.  She works at Children’s Hospital and we began talking about my desire to go and sit with parents in the NICU and PICU and to rock babies who are so very sick, because of my experiences in that situation.  She teared up as she shared with me that she recently lost a three year old grandson after a bone marrow transplant.  The loss of a child.  Something we had in common.  Before she left, she looked at me, eyes full of tears, and said, “I just need to hug you.”  And she did.  The warmest, most genuine hug that told of being thankful for someone who understood her pain.  And our relationship just went a shade deeper….

When Lucas’ mommy took him back, she thanked me profusely, as if I had done something for HER!  But in reality, she had given ME the gift.  A few quiet moments to revel in and to remember how amazing life is. To hold something so precious and fleeting. Miraculous.

Those “small” experiences impacted me for the rest of the day.  I realized once again the importance of all the little moments that could so easily be ignored or dismissed.  Opportunities that could slip by if we’re not attentive and aware. People that could slip through the cracks and go unnoticed if we aren’t available to hear their hearts.  It’s usually the small things in life that can have the most profound impact.  After all, most of life is made up of those “little” moments.

Every day carries the potential of new things – new friends, new opportunities, new experiences and chances to make a difference.  Most days those things will be “small”, but every day they will be important and more impactful than we may ever know…

1 Corinthians 10:31 – So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Hebrews 13:2 – Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Matthew 6:3 – But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.