Inconvenience leads to opportunity. We just need to open our eyes to see it. I experienced it first hand once again tonight.
I stopped to get gas this evening at a local gas station. As usual I was in a hurry so I paid at the pump. Unfortunately, the pump failed to give me my receipt and the screen flashed “see clerk for receipt.” Immediately I was soured, a bit upset and instantly inconvenienced. I was going to have to walk inside to get the receipt. I mumbled under my breath as I made the 1 minute walk to the door. I approached the counter and found myself to be second in line. In front of me was a mother with her two small children. She was digging through her purse looking for her wallet, but failed to find it. She turned around and apologized at least twice while she frantically searched for it. I stepped forward and gave her a few bucks. She thanked me a few times and her young son gave me a high-five. They finished, I got my receipt and I followed them out the door. It was obvious that she was still upset about her wallet. As I walked to my car I saw her wallet under her van. I stopped, got down on the ground and retrieved it for her. We said our goodbyes and I walked joyfully to the car.
I did not do anything special. I simply had an opportunity to be kind and help someone in need. My simple inconvenience that 5 minutes earlier frustrated me led me to an opportunity to love a neighbor. This is not the first time this has happened and it will not be the last. I am thankful for tonight’s inconvenience. I encourage you to see the opportunities that exist in your inconveniences too.
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