Thankful for Friendliness
Happy Wednesday!!
I hope your week is off to a great start and you had a nice July 4th with family and friends. My daughter and I went to breakfast, played video games, and then became to lazy to go see the fireworks. It was still an enjoyable long weekend; however, very difficult to come into work on Monday. Did you have the same challenge?
Speaking of work…. the other day I was sending meeting invitations to complete a few deliverables. One of my colleagues, declined the invitation because her daughter has an upcoming doctor’s appt. I responded to her email, by sharing how my daughter injured her knee at Tae Kwon Do a few weeks ago. I also told her, it has been a slow recovery, as she isn’t all the way healed yet. She responded with more detail about her daughter’s injury; in addition, she said “parents hate to see their children, miss being involved in the things they love.” I totally agree.
I share this story to ask you a question. How friendly are you at work, at church, at restaurants, at the airport, or the grocery store? How much information are you willing to share with total strangers? Let me back up for a moment. I just started working with my colleague a few weeks ago, and we have never met, since she resides is in a different state. Nonetheless, I can always sense her “friendliness” every time we have a meeting.
Let’s get back to my question…yes, I know it can be scary to share personal information with people you don’t know. Honestly, it can be difficult to share information with people you’ve known for 20 years. But just think about this for a moment. If you believe Jesus lives in us, and shows his self through us; then perhaps you are missing an opportunity to chat with Jesus, when you choose to be closed off to strangers.
Now, I am not saying everyone you meet is representing Jesus. Though, I wonder how many of us have missed a little Jesus-Joy-Time because we didn’t want to be polite and have a brief conversation. We didn’t want to let someone know something personal (even though we felt a tug to share). We refuse to do small talk with co-workers or cashiers at the grocery store.
Let me remind you that everyone is not out to get you, nor are their questions always an act of nosiness. Some folks (though strangers) may genuinely care, and want to know a little more about you. You probably don’t believe this, but many of us, have no idea how many people are praying for us (even though we didn’t ask them to). How many people saw you were sad and said a prayer when they walked by you? People who have been “arranged” by God to bump into you, because He knew you needed a stranger-friend.
If you haven’t realized by now, God loves you so much, that He purposely sends people to assist you (even when you don’t think their help is needed). God loves you so much, that you’re on someone’s prayer list, even though you haven’t shared your challenges.
All I am saying, that it is okay to be friendly. It is okay to share a little personal information sometimes with people which you’ve only known for 2hrs. You know why? You never know when you’re having a talk with Jesus or people get to experience Jesus by talking to you. I would hate for us, to keep missing out on Jesus-Joy-Time because we’re too private.
Jesus isn’t private. He is EVERYWHERE! HE LIVES! HE LIVES IN US!
Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message) “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”