Have a Nice Day!

Have a nice day!

         It's a sentiment we hear often. It's not the most personal of statements, or necessarily the most impressive. 

         But the past few weeks, I've heard this expressed to me. I've been on a course at the university, and have been commuting in to 'the big city' on the train. Each morning, before I start the trek up the campus, I stop at the train station's public washroom. 

         It's clean and safe, and part of the reason for that is the attendant. She stands at the doorway, doing her job, and wishes anyone who notices her a 'nice day.'

         Her name is Luisa, and she enjoys her job. Her smile is genuine, she makes eye contact, and she was cheerful every day. It was an infectious cheer, too; there were lots of people who would start smiling after receiving her well wishes - in that unlikely location. 

         Luisa is living her ministry. I am certain that there are people who ignore her, and people who will never know her name, and people who will never have more of a conversation with her other than "have a nice day!"

         But it presents that Luisa always has a nice day. There is a joy within her that I witnessed bringing a smile to many faces (my own included) in the midst of rush hour. It is a child of God using her employment position as the forum to extend a ministry of happiness. 

         It is an important ministry, and I am thankful that Luisa answered God's call to serve in that capacity. 

         It serves as a great reminder to consider any employment circumstance as an expression of 'vocation' - in everything we do, we have the opportunity to extend the love of God: be it as a cleric, or a teacher, or a washroom attendant. God has called all of us to serve one another in ways that reflect our faith: with grace, compassion, and joy. 

         May we all find our vocation, live our ministries, and truly: have a nice day. As God intends.