Month: April 2026

When Did I Get So Nosy?

By Kathy Pollard

While on the zero turn mower, Neal’s phone slipped out of his pocket and bit the dust. So the next day (Sunday) we spent ALL afternoon at T-Mobile. While waiting, I found myself listening in on conversations, observing the manager and sales associates, and even discovering the key code to the “employees only” room. I would share these various things with Neal.

“Hey, I can get us in that back room. I know what the code is!”

“They ordered 2 pepperoni pizzas for lunch. Our guy is missing out because this is taking so long.”

“Ha, did you hear what that lady said…”

Neal finally raised an eyebrow at me and said, “You’re really into this, aren’t you?” I just shrugged but did start to wonder why I was blatantly eavesdropping and not minding my own business.

It didn’t take long before it dawned on me. I didn’t have my phone. The guy helping us had both of our phones in his possession. If I’d had my phone during such a long wait, I would’ve found something to work on, or answered messages, or simply trolled. The boredom felt foreign to me and I didn’t know what to do. I’d already been through everything in my purse to pass the time (hand lotion, chapstick, gum). The only thing left was to pay attention to the people around me.

As we finally got up to leave, I told one of the other associates (who goes by Shaq but answers the phone as Shaquille), “I feel like we’re friends!” I’d joked around with him a couple of times while we were there. Without even hesitating, he said, “We are!” I walked out the door laughing.

I have a feeling if I’d been on my phone the whole time, I would’ve walked out the door grumbling about how we lost an entire Sunday afternoon. I’m quick to point out how important it is to quit staring down at our phones and start looking up at the people around us, but apparently not so good about living it out. It was a humbling and eye-opening experience. How often do I do that? How much LIFE is passing me by while I “work” on a screen? There are real people all around me and it is way more worthwhile (and joyful!) to see and engage with them.

“Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.“

(John 4:35)

Would it be weird for me to pop into T-Mobile sometime just to see how they’re doing?

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Making God Smile

By Kathy Pollard

One thing I love about Neal is how he goes about his tasks cheerfully. Whether he’s mucking out the barn or helping out with household chores, I can usually hear him alternating between whistling and singing. He has been that way our entire marriage and it makes my heart smile every time.

I’m sure his joyful attitude makes the job more pleasant for him, but it affects those around him, too. The way he tackles projects with a good spirit lifts mine. It always convicts me and reminds me to consider my own demeanor. Too many times I catch myself sighing, grumbling, or stressing. If Neal’s happiness rubs off on me, then my whininess must rub off on him. If his whistling lifts my heart, then what does my squawking do to his? And even more sobering, how does it affect God’s?

God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).

Do all things without grumbling…(Phil. 2:14).

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Prov. 17:22).

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones (Prov. 15:30).

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:17).

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Col. 3:23-24).

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2:14-15).

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do (Heb. 6:10).

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Rom. 12:6-8).

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Pet. 4:9).

God loves an engaged heart (Matt. 15:8). Whatever I’m doing today, I’m going to try to be more mindful of what my face looks like while I’m doing it. I’m going to try to speak cheerfully and smile gratefully. I imagine all my tasks will be more pleasant. I know it’ll affect those around me. And more than anything, I pray it will please and glorify God.


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