Spreading the love...shining His light...

Merry Christmas to everyone!
As many of you know, Patrick and I are teachers, and are just beginning our holiday vacation from work, and we're going to enjoy every minute of it! At my old job, I actually had to work during this coming week and now I'm excited cause Patrick and I are on the exact same schedule work wise. We enjoy our time together!
This past week, I decided to do something nice for the staff at my new workplace. I started working there last January so this is my first Christmas working there. I have to admit that when I started working there it was a bit of culture shock. People at work weren't exactly mean but they weren't friendly. This was such a change from my old work, where everyone at least said hello to each other in the hall. It took some getting used to, but now people at least acknowledge my presence...baby steps....
Anyway, I decided to give everyone a few chocolates wrapped in tissue paper with a ribbon and I put them in each person's mailbox. I have to admit I didn't know many of the people whose mailboxes I was filling, but as I put the tiny packages in early Wednesday morning, some of them were clocking in. Everyone looked like they were in a rush coming in, all huffy and stuff. As they went to their box, I saw them slow down, then smile, then thank me (they assumed it was me since I was the one putting them in! lol). They were all so appreciative. I even got several thank you cards! All for a few pieces of chocolate! Some people wrote "it was just what I needed" or "it was so nice of you to think of me." It was nice to get such appreciation, but it made me wonder how much "niceness" was spread throughout the school in general, if a small gesture such as this was getting such a response! My answer came when I got a card yesterday from a teacher/service provider in the school. She wrote that it was so nice of me to think of all the staff, and that in all the years she's worked in the school, she doesn't remember anyone doing something so nice. I would think that would make me feel like I was on top of the world, but it didn't. I almost felt sad for them, because this is something that is second nature for me, and didn't require too much effort, just time. I thought of all 80 (!) people that received those chocolates and that maybe I made their day, or year, or experience of working at the school a little happier. THAT made me feel good, and maybe that will inspire others there to be a little kinder. I will try praying more for those people now individually...Spreading God's love can come in the form of spreading the Gospel, a prayer, sharing a hug or smile, or even a few chocolates! Here's hoping you can share your love with someone (or 80 someones!) today!

What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? --Micah 6:8