"Sweetheart" by Kathryn Hillen

“Let Me Call You Sweetheart – I Can’t Remember Your name.” The pin, almost as big as a saucer, was worn by a middle-aged woman – without doubt, an extrovert. We were at a state PTA convention, encountering many unfamiliar faces. The pin seemed to be her humorous way of saying, “Let’s be friends for today, but I’m not even going to attempt to remember your name.”  We have many temporary relationships: those beside us on the plan or in the Laundromat, the people who camp next to us at a resort, and the neighbors who move in and out with such rapidity. It’s up to us to decide if these contacts will be meaningless or significant. Ask God, “What would you like to say to this person through me?” You may be surprised. He may ask you to speak words of appreciation and encouragement, to witness about Christ, or only to be friendly. When we look a person in the eye and ask about their lives, we show that they are valuable. And even if we never do learn the person’s name, we have been a channel through which God can reach him or her. That is both exciting and humbling.

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 6-7