Devotionals for the Heart: Life lessons learned while waiting at the bus stop

The Sun Will Shine Again
A devotional by Desiree Future

“He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.”—2 Samuel 23:4 (NIV)

An interesting thing happened to me the other day.

Since I sold my 21-year-old car to the junkyard, I now need to take the bus everywhere I go. Because I have issues walking, far distances can be difficult. However, I still have breath in my body, and that is enough for me.

This is the first time in 11 years where I’ve had to rely on public transportation. I’m still familiarizing myself with schedules and such. Not to mention trying to estimate how long it will take me to walk from my apartment to the bus stop.

The same way I was used to leaving at a certain time for work is the same situation with boarding the bus. The only difference is that I need to walk three blocks to get to my ride. Therefore, I have to account for this as well. It’s all about timing.

One morning, I decided to take an early bus because I wanted to go to the store before heading to work. Looking at my watch, I had exactly five minutes to get to the stop. The closer I got, I could see the bus turning around in the depot. Nearing my area, I crossed the street and made direct eye contact with the driver. Signaling I was trying to get on his bus. Walking as fast as my legs would go, I tried to make it. The driver had gotten to the stop and picked up a passenger. He closed the doors and left, leaving me behind as I got closer. I was not happy about this at all.

The next bus was scheduled to arrive in ten minutes. My morning store stop would just have to wait for another time. Thankfully, the rain had stopped. Hearing someone say good morning, I turned to my right. It was the school security guard. I had seen her a few times over the past few weeks. I smiled and replied, “Good morning.” Next, a gentleman came and joyfully said, “Hi, everyone!” I smiled and returned his greeting. Then a couple joined us and said “Good Morning” as well.

By the time my bus came, I had spoken to four different people who I didn’t know. Climbing into the bus, I greeted the bus driver with a friendly “Good morning.” I remained grateful as he patiently waited for me take a seat inside the bus.

During my 40-minute ride to work, almost everyone who boarded the bus happily greeted another person—whether it was the bus driver or another passenger. That warmed my heart immensely. Though my morning started on a bad note, it quickly changed. The rain had stopped, and the sun began to shine. I’m glad I missed that first bus because I was truly blessed by my interactions with everyone while we were all waiting for the second bus to arrive. I realized that all it takes to make a significant difference in this world is greeting people with a happy smile and speaking a kind word to heal their hurt.

Taking buses and trains everywhere is not an easy thing for me. My legs don’t move as fast as they did prior to getting a car. I’m a much slower walker now. However, the kind words from that day at the bus stop lifted my spirits in a way I still cannot explain. Be kind to others because you never know what they are going through. It was that simple greeting that helped me smile and feel happy from the inside out.

Let’s Pray: God, I ask that You cover the person reading this. Like me, they may be going through a difficult time right now. Let them know in due season, the sun will shine again. Help us to hold onto the hope we always have in Jesus Christ. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The Sun Will Shine Again” by Wintley Phipps and Patti Labelle. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Desiree Future is a self-improvement blogger at “Hope Faith & A Smile” where she pens inspirational and encouraging posts. 

This blog that she started as a place for her upcoming novel turned into something far more than she expected. It developed into a home for conversations with people from all walks of life. By writing about everyday events that occur in her world she makes her posts very relatable. As some commenters have said, “Desiree talks to us and not at us.”

In 2013, she self-published The Pastor’s Heart, a Christian romance novel. The following year in 2014, she self-published its sequel, It’s a New Season.

Desiree has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2020. She’s also been a member of a writing critique group through her local ACFW Chapter since 2021. Several of her articles have appeared on the official blog for ACFW. In 2022, she became a contributing author in the encouraging devotional, The Courage to Write.

This child of God may not have a church home yet, but God is first in her life.

Desiree is a cancer survivor who calls New Jersey home. She enjoys traveling to different places to spark ideas for her next article. She likes thrifting and going to the theater to see the latest matinee.

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Connect with Desiree:
Website: https://desireefuture.com/
E-mail: desireefuturewrites@hotmail.com