You are the salt of the earth…. You are the light of the world.
Matthew 5:13–14
If Christians are salt and light, it means we have the ability to add something great to life. One thing we have the power to add is enthusiasm.
Enthusiasm makes such a difference in our relationships. I was at a hockey game once and noticed a couple sitting a few rows down. He was cheering loudly, but his wife was even louder. I specifically remember the moment she yelled, “Hit him! Hit him!” I saw her husband turn to her with a look of complete joy on his face. Do you know why? Because she was enthusiastic.
Maybe his wife genuinely loved hockey, or maybe she learned to love it because it was something he enjoys. Either way, enthusiasm is a great gift you can give someone. The same is true of guys who hate shopping with their wives. If she loves it, why not make the effort to enjoy it with her?
My wife loves shopping. If I want to see her laugh, relax and enjoy herself, all I have to say is, “Let’s hit the mall for a while.” I’m not perfect at it, but I’ve learned to enjoy what she loves. I’ll get right into it, talking to the salespeople and picking out things for her to try on. There are times when I’ll step away to grab a coffee while she shops. Then when we reconnect, we’ll talk and laugh together, and we have a great time.
Give someone the gift of enthusiasm this week. As you genuinely make the effort to love what they love, you never know…you just might end up liking it yourself!