CASTING STONES

I woke up this morning, grumpy, snarling, grimacing. I snapped at the kids as I sent them out the door to catch the bus. I seen as they walked out, the frustrated look upon their faces. They climbed onto their bus, one of them stubbing their toe causing them to fall up the steps of the bus instead of climbing up the steps of the bus. The bus driver chuckled and made a comment, but my son didn't think it funny and snapped back at him, sassing him, which he never does. My daughter made it to her locker at school, in a hurry she couldn't get the combination correct. She thumped it good with her books. Later that night, the bus driver was at home sitting down for supper. His grandaughter was slow in answering the call to come eat. This act reminded the bus driver of the sassy student he had that morning. The bus driver reacted a little too harsh toward his grandaughter when retrieving her for supper. The bus drivers wife, surprised by the sudden "hateful turn" of her husband snapped at him for being so hateful. Which in turn caused an arguement between the two. My son and daughter both had a bad day, and so did everyone they came in contact with. The next day I vowed to make up for the day before. I awoke the children, in the background I had praise and worship music playing softly. We laughed and joked. Finally the bus arrived. We waved and blew kisses in secret so no one knew what we were doing, saving embarassement of course. Hoppin on the bus they greeted the driver with an energetic "Goodmorning!" In turn the bus driver wished them both a goodmorning. With smiles and waves, everyone they met caught their contagious good spirit. The bus driver was in the bank in a long line, when he finally got his turn. The cashier frowning because of the "rush rush" attitude of everyone, coldly asked, "What can I do for you?" Smiling the driver said, "Isn't it a beautiful day out?" Then proceeded with his business. The cashier looked at him, with the smile radiating from his face and she couldn't help but smile herself. It brightened her day soooo much she greeted every customer with a smile and a, "Isn't it a gorgeous day out today, how may I help you?", the rest of that day. Casting a stone in a body of water makes a ripple effect that carries on farther than we can possibly see. And so does our attitude, the good the bad and the ugly too. Let's cast our stones in the water, but let our stones be those of encouragement, love, understanding and friendship. Our world needs a good friend.