Celebrate the Small Stuff

Yesterday afternoon I crossed the road, opened the mailbox, and retrieved the mail. As I reached to the back I felt something a little squishy and bent to take a peak before pulling it all the way out. I wasn’t too sure what it might be and I wasn’t expecting any packages. A quick look proved to show nothing too unusual but there was a clear bag around one of the informative postcards. I wasn’t sure why the postal service would so graciously wrap it but figured, maybe there are address labels or some other treasure attached in hopes of getting my attention to support their cause or buy their goods.

Once in the house and settled, I went back to the pile of mail. I smiled as I took my ripped, crumbled, and destroyed flyer out of its secure plastic baggie. It was a reminder about the Relay for Life later in the Spring. I was thankful for the reminder but still confused to why it was so neatly tucked and taped inside the bag.  Many of us receive flyers and postcards notifications in the mail throughout the year, and sometimes they are wet or torn from their journey to our mail or post office box but yesterday something new happened.

It wasn’t until I went to set the bag down that I noticed the note written on it:

WE CARE

Dear Postal Customer,

We sincerely regret the damage to your mail during handling by the Postal Services. We hope this incident did not inconvenience you…
 ….

Please accept our apologies.
Sincerely,

Your Postmaster

I think this is too sweet. I have to admit the first time I read it I thought, “Things happen, not a big deal. Save the expense of the bags and keep my postage down rather than wrapping my ripped flyer with an apology note.” BUT within moments it dawned on me, I should be thankful for our United Postal Service. Why did I change my thinking? Simply for one reason – why waste time and energy focusing on the negative or would of, could of, scenarios and be grateful for what we have.

 Our postal service is a tradition founded in providing good service to its patrons. My postal carrier didn’t have to pause in her busy day and route to apologize for an tear made in a machine, yet she did. I’m thankful for this. It doesn’t matter what the mail item within the bag might be. It’s the care, concern, and thoughts of the one who took time to express their apologies for something they didn’t do and something they couldn’t prevent. 

Accidents happen and machines are not people. I think we need to focus less on the accidents, mishaps, and problems and look closer at the reconciliation, healing, and concern others have when life happens. Whether it be a ripped informational flyer or a scratch in the paint of your car door, remember this, most do not intentionally set out to create stress, discomfort, or upset in your life. Because we are human, life happens.

If this had been a card from a loved one special to me, would my reaction be different? I don’t think.  There may have been tears depending on the note within but in the end, I choose to be thankful for they cared enough to say so. If my mail carrier and post master are this concerned over my junk mail, imagine their response if they knew it was something special. 

The next time life happens, whether it’s ripped mail, scratched pain, or whatever it might be ~ remember to celebrate the little things! Who knows, maybe your interaction with the person on the other end of this life event might need to see a little Jesus through you today. Will you share a blessing or increase the sting?

Is there an act of caring you can share with us today?