The decision to bring joy
January 15, 2026
By Jeff Becraft
Back around Christmas time, we went to New Jersey to see Brenda’s mom and sister. In fact, we had Christmas Eve dinner from a travel plaza on the New Jersey Turnpike.
That experience is probably worth a Friday email all by itself, but it was actually a memorable experience. I was very appreciative for those people that were sacrificing to work at that time so we could grab a dinner before we wound up at our destination.
Earlier, we had stopped at a travel plaza in Maryland and went to a Dunkin Donuts to get something to drink. I was very thankful for every person that was working there and I verbally let them know that… that because they were working that day, we were able to get some refreshments while we were traveling on a long trip.
On Christmas morning, Brenda’s mom (“my favorite-mother-in law,” as I tell her) wanted to go to church service, and so we wind up back on the New Jersey Turnpike. And of course, that means that we have got to pay a toll.
As I pulled up to the toll booth, we were greeted with a big smile and a “Hey, how are you all doing today?” and I am thinking to myself, “Wow, if anybody had a reason to complain, it would be this person.” Here they are having to work on Christmas Day, be stuck in a toll booth (and we know how posh those are…), all by themselves, and here they are with a big smile and a big greeting to us, almost like we were friends.
Well, we gave her an equally welcoming greeting back, and I had a bag of candy and I was going to give her a chocolate candy bar but I couldn’t find where they were. All I could find was a peppermint pinwheel sort of thing (I don’t think those things have an expiration date… at least it was still wrapped) and I handed it to her and we wished her a Merry Christmas and thanked her for working that day.
She was so appreciative.
I thought, “That is the way to do a job right there.”
Again, she had every reason to feel sorry for herself, to be bitter, to be resentful, to complain… but she did not let those things dictate her day.
Instead, she decided she would serve other people joyfully that day and greet him with a big smile.
These few moments were refreshing for us as we drove down the road that day. Each of us has that opportunity… every single day… regardless of what the circumstances we are in… to offer to every person we come in contact with a big smile, a big hello, and actually care about them as a person.
It is still early in 2026… we can make this a great year.
Jeff Becraft is the Director of Our Place of Hope located in Columbia, South Carolina, where people find encouragement to regain meaning, purpose, and hope for their lives. Jeff has dedicated much of his life to helping shift the vision of people’s lives. If you would like Jeff to speak to your group or event, you can connect with him at [email protected].
