Yesterday I visited one of my best friends in the hospital at the Cleveland Clinic. I hadn't seen him for nearly ten days as we were on vacation to the Smokey Mountains. When I arrived in Cleveland, and finally got parked, I made my way through the hospital to Mike's room. My heart was filled with relief when I saw him because he is doing significantly better than the last time I visited.
I was able to chat with him and his wife for a few hours, but since it takes nearly 2 and a half hours to drive back home, I left at 2:30 in order to be able to have time to mow the yard before dark. (He also had therapy) I said my goodbye's and had a short time of prayer with him and out the door I went. I have such a difficult time with directions inside of large hospitals and I often get lost. After following the signs and looking like I knew what I was doing (admit it, you've tried to look like you were in control and knew where you were going even though you were completely lost!), I made my way to the elevator.
Since I was on the 8th floor, I needed to make my way down to the 1st. Three people boarded the elevator with me and an additional four more boarded on the 7th floor. A number of floor buttons had been pushed by the elevator riders and we started our "stop-and-go" descent. As frequently happens, a fellow made a comment about my height and it started a conversation about low doorways and low EXIT signs. Apparently the stories I told and the enjoyable dialogue I had with this man captivated a young woman who was riding.
The elevator stopped at three other floors before it arrived at my floor destination. By the time the elevator arrived on my floor it only housed myself and that young woman. She was so wrapped up in the conversation I was having that she missed her floor! I told her I was happy that she was engaged in my height stories and I enjoyed my elevator ride too. As I exited the elevator, she pushed the 3rd floor button and went back up to her final destination.
One of the biggest tools of opportunity that we have is our story. Like many others, mine hasn't always been enjoyable or easy, but we often have priceless opportunities to share our lives with others. Even if it's just for a brief 8 floor trip on the elevator.
Never believe that your story or life isn't worth sharing, you never know who may be riding in the elevator with you. Your story may even keep a person on the elevator a little longer then they planned!
I was able to chat with him and his wife for a few hours, but since it takes nearly 2 and a half hours to drive back home, I left at 2:30 in order to be able to have time to mow the yard before dark. (He also had therapy) I said my goodbye's and had a short time of prayer with him and out the door I went. I have such a difficult time with directions inside of large hospitals and I often get lost. After following the signs and looking like I knew what I was doing (admit it, you've tried to look like you were in control and knew where you were going even though you were completely lost!), I made my way to the elevator.
Since I was on the 8th floor, I needed to make my way down to the 1st. Three people boarded the elevator with me and an additional four more boarded on the 7th floor. A number of floor buttons had been pushed by the elevator riders and we started our "stop-and-go" descent. As frequently happens, a fellow made a comment about my height and it started a conversation about low doorways and low EXIT signs. Apparently the stories I told and the enjoyable dialogue I had with this man captivated a young woman who was riding.
The elevator stopped at three other floors before it arrived at my floor destination. By the time the elevator arrived on my floor it only housed myself and that young woman. She was so wrapped up in the conversation I was having that she missed her floor! I told her I was happy that she was engaged in my height stories and I enjoyed my elevator ride too. As I exited the elevator, she pushed the 3rd floor button and went back up to her final destination.
One of the biggest tools of opportunity that we have is our story. Like many others, mine hasn't always been enjoyable or easy, but we often have priceless opportunities to share our lives with others. Even if it's just for a brief 8 floor trip on the elevator.
Never believe that your story or life isn't worth sharing, you never know who may be riding in the elevator with you. Your story may even keep a person on the elevator a little longer then they planned!
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