Missed opportunity at Dunkin' Donuts

I was with a friend of mine late this morning having a cup of coffee and solving the problems of the world when someone interrupted our conversation. I had just said to my friend "if I did not have a job right now, I'd go tomorrow and get one". A young gentleman near our table turned to me with little bit of fire in his eyes and said, "what did you just say?"

I looked at him and said "Are you talking to me? Because I was talking to him" (nodding at my friend).

He responded with a bit of edge in his voice, "I thought it was admirable that you could go get a job right now because I have been laid off for a while."

I quickly thought of several different ways this conversation could proceed and I could not think of any good options. I did not want to get into an 'edgy' conversation so I said again "I was talking to my friend here". The exchange lasted a few more seconds and then we mutually ignored each other for the next half hour.

On my way home a little while later I was replaying the whole scene and I realized that because of my fear and defensiveness I had missed an opportunity to share God's love with a hurting person. I realized that my human thought process tends to value self-preservation and pride. I wondered if I would ever be in the place where I would have responded to that young man from a heart of love.

I replayed the scene again and this time my response to him was "you were laid off, I'm sorry to hear that - where were you working?" And then from there he was able to share about his situation and I was able to be a positive, caring person at this low point in his life.

Dear Father, please forgive me for being so interested in me. Open my eyes to how you are working in the lives of others. Help me never to be motivated by fear or pride. Please help my heart to be ready for these kind of situations. I am so sorry I was not ready this time. Amen