Bus Stop Thoughts ...

I met a man today while I was waiting for my bus after work. His name is Steve and he just landed a new job. I know because he told me. The news that he had just been hired spilled out of him naturally, pride bubbling over, his excitement unable to be contained. He asked me for directions to the skytrain station and then, out of nowhere, "thanks so much! I just got a new job! I start tomorrow!" If we were kids, this is the moment where we would grab hands and jump up and down screaming. But we're both mature, responsible adults who don't like to make a scene so instead I just smiled and said "that's awesome, congratulations!" and we chatted for a bit while we waited for our bus to pull up. (In retrospect, I probably should have grabbed his hand and jumped up and down with him. It would have made this story a lot more interesting. Oh well, live and learn.)

I don't know much else about Steve. I don't know why he was let go from his last job or how long he's been unemployed or how badly he wanted this particular position. I don't know how many times he's heard the infamous "we'll get back to you" line or how fragile his finances are at the moment or if he's just the indecisive type who jumps from one job to another leaving behind distraught co-workers and frustrated bosses. I don't know if he has a wife and kids who are waiting anxiously at home and who will cheer when he tells them the news because Daddy's new job means the family will be able to take that vacation this summer after all. I don't know if he "deserves" this job or if he was offered it at the expense of another, better candidate.

I don't know any of those things.

All I know is that Steve got a new job and he was super excited about it.

All I know is that for a good ten minutes, I got to share in the joy of a complete stranger.

All I know is that a stranger choosing to open up their heart to you, even if it's to share something as seemingly mundane as a new job, is a privilege.

All I know is that joy is contagious; despite the fact that I knew nothing about Steve, I was genuinely glad that he had gotten that job.

All I know is that we need a little more of this in the world - people just sharing with one another, no strings attached, no questions asked. Sharing for the sake of sharing. People, even random strangers, actually taking the time to LIVE together instead of just co-existing with one another. People putting away their iPods and turning off their cell phones and actually getting to know that person sitting next to them in the bus shelter - even if it's just for a few minutes, even if you never see them again.

We need more people like Steve in the world.

"Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" - Hebrews 13:2