Today I did something I frequently do when I am at the grocery store.  I found a lone cart left on the lot and pushed it into the store to use it for my shopping.  As I was heading toward the store the employee who was out in the parking lot collecting carts thanked me for bringing a cart back in.  I told him it was a small thing I could do to make his job easier.  Then he replied, “You are a nice guy even when you are not at the hospital”.  I asked him what he meant and he explained he had seen me visit one of his parents as a patient at the hospital and thought I was being nice and then just assumed it was “part of my job”.

At the store he had no expectation of my helping with his job and when I did it without being asked it made an impression.  I have found over and over again that patients and their family members recognize me when I am out in the community.  When I am not at work is when I have the chance to show the sincerity I show as a chaplain, I live as a citizen.  It makes an impression and makes a difference to people.

The next time you wonder if doing some small act of kindness when you think no one else is looking makes any difference, I can assure you it does.  You never know when someone who has been part of your ministry activities is watching you be yourself.  When you can display responsibility and kindness as a mode of living it speaks volumes.  It affirms to those you care for at the hospital that caring is part of your DNA and not just something you can be paid to do.

Wonder if I am correct?  Try it and see, then report back your findings here!