It was a routine trip to Wal-Mart. As I stepped up for my turn at the checkout, I felt a nudge from inside me. I often float right through with my purchases without a second thought for who is ringing in my items. Not this time! I smiled and made eye contact with the cashier.

“Good morning,” I said. “How are you today?”

Tears filled her eyes. She then explained that this was her first day back to work after losing her husband to a long battle with cancer. “It’s been a really hard day,” she told me. “You’re the first one to speak to me and ask me how I’m doing.”

I was stunned. I had only expected a friendly greeting in return! We talked briefly and I gave her another smile and words of encouragement. As I walked away, I heard her greeting her next customer with a new joy in her voice.

I was grateful for the AWARE Bible study that the small group I attend was taking. It encourages and challenges us to become more aware of the people around us – no matter what their age or stage in life. If we take the time to be aware of how we are treating others by even the simplest of gestures, we can impact their lives in ways we may never realize. Jesus said it best: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).