In the last 48 hours or so (I'm being deliberately vague) I've had an experience where, I suspect because I'm a 'young(ish) curate' I've been spoken to in such a way that made me feel like I was, perhaps, foolish and unworthy of the individual's time. (Disclaimer, before you start worrying, this happened outside of my parish, and it was someone I had met 30 seconds earlier and will unlikely see again - if I can help it!)
This reminded me of something I witnessed a year or so ago. When the Bake Off was good, and on the BBC, Jess and I had tickets to see the extra slice hosted by Jo Brand. This was excellent and one thing we observed was that between shots the make up woman would often come onto stage to 'top up' the stars make up. Stage hands would also regularly walk around and give the 'stars' bottles of water.
The first thing which struck me was Jo Brand's attitude to these people. Every time someone did something for her, be it hand her water or tidy her hair, she made a point to look at them and to thank them.
This was contrasted by another female 'star' (who shall remain nameless) who far from thanking those who were helping her, deliberately ignored them and occasionally acted annoyed with them, like, perhaps, they were getting in her way.
Jo was, as most people know, a mental health nurse for many years, turning to comedy late in life. The other lady is the daughter of a 'star' alongside being a 'star' in her own right, I suspect she has never had the experience of not having people run around after her.
That said, I don't think it excuses her behaviour, nor should anything, even distractions, excuse ours.
This experience has stuck with me over the last year or so, and being treated, as I was this week, has only served to remind me of the importance to not only notice those who we meet, but to make a point of engagement with them if possible.
It strikes me that this is what Jesus did. He often met with and engaged with people who the rest of society would rather he had ignored. He noticed them, he spoke to them, and he helped them know that they too were loved.
One of the three things we're looking at in St Paul's over the next few months and years is how to be more like Jesus. I wonder if this, very small thing, is one way we can do this.
We can notice those who serve us, we can engage with those who the rest of society chooses to ignore.
Perhaps you're much better at this than me, perhaps you always engage folk with a friendly smile and warm greeting. Certainly I know some folk who appear to do this well. I know others who perhaps don't!
And we aren't perfect, so we will forget at times. So another encouragement - try to catch yourself doing it! Some of the times I've sensed God working through me most in this have been the times I've, for example, been served in a shop and realised as I'm about to leave that I haven't looked up from my phone. When I've realised what I'm doing, I've apologised for my rudeness and asked how the attendant was.
Noticing people is simple, it's unexpected, it's certainly what Jesus did.
So, my thoughts for this week? Look up, see who's around, smile and help others to know that you care for them a bit, but more importantly, that God cares for them a lot. :-)
