Contagious Enthusiasm

Mary’s Monday Morning Musings to Quilt Encouragement

Contagious Enthusiasm

            As I walked down the store’s center aisle, a man passed behind me and a smiling man in front of me called a jocular greeting to him. From behind, a cheerful answer rang out before the person disappeared down a side aisle. The smiling man apologized to me. “I didn’t mean that for you.”

“I could tell.” I smiled back.

The man laughed and offered a quick joke before another apology. “I need to learn to keep my mouth quiet.”

I was surprised. Nothing said was in the least offensive, only jovial. So as I continued past, I excused him saying, “You were simply displaying enthusiasm for life.”

His smile grew. “Enthusiasm for Life. I hadn’t thought of it that way.  I like that.”

By now, I’d was a little past the man.

He followed. “We have the NFL, you know the National Football League. Now I have the EFL, Enthusiasm for Life.”  He caught up. “I need to shake your hand.”

“People enjoy enthusiasm. It’s contagious and brings gladness,” I said, shaking his hand.

“Enthusiasm for Life.” The sparkle in his eyes matched his broad smile. “That’s what I have. God bless you,” he said and walked off.

The pleasant exchange lasted about a minute. I wondered if I should have slipped in something about God, but he was the one who injected God. I still smile as I think about his delighted response. Let’s ask God to help each of us spread good feelings as we go about our days. It was fun to see how much encouragement the man derived simply by my not taking offense and offering a positive response instead of a negative one. Without a doubt God gave me those words. God, please give each of us the encouraging uplifting responses to whatever we encounter as we go about our days.