One day months ago, I stopped at the bank to do a small deposit. While I filled out the slip an older gentleman came in and got into line. I quickly finished my deposit slip and got in line behind him. As usual, I greeted him and asked him how he was doing. This very nice man and I shared a few plesantries. He then noticed my Ohio State jacket and asked me if I had attended school there, which I had not. I explained my uncle was an alumni and had gotten the jacket for me and for others in the family. I think, for my uncle, the definition of alumni would include the word fanatic. An example of his enthusiasm can be expressed best in the summer months. He lives in South Bend, Indiana which is, of course, the home of Notre Dame University. When he jumps on his riding lawn mower to cut his grass he always blasts the Ohio State University CD with the school fight song. He is a fan supreme.
Excitedly, the man, also an alumni began sharing stories of his years at Ohio State. He aptly confirmed my definition of OSU alumni including the word fanatic. He was surely proud of his university and his years there. We talked for several minutes until he was called by the teller. He finished his business while I was still in line. As he passed to leave, he paused to apologize for talking so much with me. He explained that his wife was ill and house bound and that sometimes when he is out and about, he can't help but get long winded (his terminology). I expressed my pleasure in talking with him and that it was a non concern. He thanked me and left.
Just after he left, my heart convicted me with the thought that I had missed a golden opportunity to love somebody by giving some of my time. Surely an extended conversation would have meant a great deal to this man had I been tuned into to his desire to enjoy some away time. I thought I should have taken some time out of my day and offered to buy him a cup of coffee so we could just chat. In one of my prayer times, I apologized to God for missing the opportunity and thanking Him for alerting me to that missed encounter. I also asked Him to keep me alert to other such opportunities.
Today, I went to my Thursday morning Bible study, then met a pastor friend of mine at our church for a brief conversation about me filling in for him to do a couple services for him at local nursing homes next week. Then I went into the sanctuary for today's noon prayer meeting during our "week of prayer".
About an hour later, I left the church and decided to stop for a Chai and read a book I am really into called, "Not a Fan." (*I highly recommend this book, written by Kyle Idleman, which is about investigating what our relationship with Jesus looks like and challenges us to become followers rather than fans. We can be fans wearing our team colors, for Christians it might be a cross necklace or a fish on our car. We can sit in the stands and cheer our team on or become a part of the team and sit on the bench or be on the team, actually get on the playing field and get in the game. If you don't want to feel challenged - DON"T get it.) Anyhow, I ordered my Chai and also ordered a Boston Kreme to compliment tomorrow's coffee. I put my book and donut on a table near the door and waited for my Chai. While standing there an older gentleman walked in and I said hello and asked him how he was doing. He replied and went to the counter to order his coffee and of all things, a Boston Kreme donut. I sat and opened my book and noticed him walk to the table a few tables from mine. He glanced at me and in a flash, I remembered the man in the bank. I immediately invited him to join me and we talked for over an hour. I learned about his country of origin, his wife, their occupations their children and what they were up to now. We talked about how his country had changed and what it was like during WWII. I was absolutely right, anyone who liked Boston Kremes like I do had to be okay. He was a wonderful man with lots of stories to share and lessons to express. I was blessed by him giving of his time and it gave me the chance to be loving by spending my time with a brand new friend.
God had convicted me in the bank that I missed a chance to love a person by giving the Ohio State gentleman some time and today He gave me another chance. It is interesting that in that opportunity to be loving I felt loved as well. The gentleman today said he would like to talk over coffee again sometime, in fact, he mentioned it a couple times. I gave him my card with this site on it and my phone number and I am pretty sure we will be chatting over coffee and Boston Kremes again.
He mentioned he had to get going, he was on an errand run for his wife and he was already late. (In my opinion, you just cannot rush eating a Boston Kreme, it would lack proper etiquette). He told me his wife was needing another hip replacement and that she had back issues that cause much pain and could not be repaired at this time. I asked if it would be okay for me to pray for her. He said that would be nice and he left.
Being open to and watching for opportunities to love someone by just sharing some time with them brought me some new wisdom as older people often share, a new acquaintance that I will surely see again when in that area and an opportunity to pray for a person that some may not even know is in need of prayer. I am blessed.
Nothing that we do that is loving is wasted in the eyes of our Lord. We have the opportunity to be an ambassador of Christ if we slow down and make the effort. There are opportunities all around us and we can spot them when we stop focusing on ourselves. I know we all have things to do and we are all busy but perhaps we should also make time to be about our Master's business. Who knows? Maybe that man took time to talk with me thinking I was lonely and needed to talk. He may have gone home and relayed a similar story to his wife about how he was kind to some guy who also loves Boston Kremes.
I must say that we have to use common sense and a sense of discernment when talking to people we don't know. We cannot put ourselves in a position of danger or compromise. I talk to pretty much everyone but would be more selective in who I ask to join me for a beverage. For example, my wife is just a very happy and joy filled person and when I was dating my wife guys always took her friendliness the wrong way. She had to temper that friendliness and be wise and I also use discretion regarding where I am at the time and who I am talking to.
I generally look for people older than me because it seems they are alone so often and as a group of people are greatly overlooked. I also like talking with older people because they have experienced a great deal and often share some wisdom that I can learn from.
Just to share 1 Timothy 5:1-2 NLT. "Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters".
I can't wait until the next time someone crosses my path that might just want to, or need to talk.
Love somebody, everybody and you may be surprised at all the new friends you will find.