Wednesday 23 July 2008

They say a smile costs you nothing, but mine appeared to cost me 90p. Let me explain. On my way to catch a train, I stopped to buy a bottle of water at the station. The bottle cost 88p, and I handed the man in the shop a one pound coin. Now, maths wasn't my strong point at school, frequently driving my maths teacher to the brink of despair. But even so, when I was handed £1.02 instead of 12p change I knew something was up. Half way across the station I discovered the mistake, went back and explained. The expressions crossing the cashier's face were a picture. First there was puzzlement, then amazement as he realised what I was going on about, and finally the most enormous smile. If I had to put a price on it, I would guess that the smile was worth much more than the 90p it cost me.

Why should such a simple act have such a dramatic effect? After all, a few pence is not such a big deal. And anyway, isn't honesty second nature, after all? Well, of course, its not. For some its nothing like it. Not only that, but there's a kind of unwritten understanding which says that 'getting away with it' takes precedence over any other rule. If I get over-changed, or under-taxed' why worry? Power to the people! Being 'bovvered' about such things is seen as decidedly quirky.

As a Christian, I am motivated by Jesus' words which tell me to 'be perfect even as my heavenly father is perfect'. A pretty tall order you might say - and definitely one which I've not yet fulfilled! But thankfully he went on to explain what this meant. He said that his followers should be like salt and light in the world. At the time salt was used to preserve food and 'stop the rot' as well as to make things tasty and interesting. A bit of salt in the diet of daily life can give it so much more flavour. A bit of light on the scene can change everything.

Years ago there was a toll bridge near the town where I grew up. Every time my brother and I drove over it, we would make a point of paying for the car behind us - especially if we didn't know the people in it. Believe me, it was worth those few pence just to see the looks on their faces. A bit like my water-seller at the station - their puzzlement soon turned to amusement and pleasure.

Why don't you lash out a few pence on making someone smile today?