The Woman in the Bank

The other day I was at the bank. Sitting in the manager’s office waiting for some paperwork to be signed. There wasn’t much to do so I spent the time just watching people. One woman in particular grabbed my attention.

She was older and slightly hunched over but came through the doorway with such a sense of purpose. She marched up to the teller to conduct her business. After a few pleasantries I heard her ask about the teller. If it was her first time at the branch? Was she a floater? To which the teller replied yes.  This woman then went on to say that she had been to just about all the branches and, “This branch is the best. The people here are so friendly and they really know what they are doing.”

Her compliments went on and on. I couldn’t help but smile as she lavished praise on this particular location.

As this woman left she passed a man at the ATM machine who was wearing an athletic jersey of some kind with a big W on the back. She walked by him she said “Does that W stand for Wonderful?” He smiled and said, “Yes.”  She left the building, got into her car and drove off.

I was still waiting for my documents so I reflected on what I had seen.

This woman, with her kind and encouraging  words, had just made the day better for two people. Three, if you include me.

The Bible says we should “encourage one another and build each other up”. (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  That’s exactly what she had done.  Our society is so quick to criticize and tear down; I contend we would all be a little happier if we followed the example of the woman in the bank.  I am determined to try and do so.

I never did get her name, but as she left whistling, I wished I had.