One-minute Friends

What are some ways we can show love in very brief conversations with people we will likely never see again? Give? Make eye contact and smile? Graceful one-liners?

What are some of the best things we can do for the person asking for money, for the cashier, for the person on the elevator...? How can we brighten their days or help them in a small way?

How have your one-minute friends impacted you or made your day? Did mention of God or faith come up in the exchange?

[later on...]

Oh! I just found something here, written by C.J. Mahaney, about Mark Dever:

The first lesson I learned from your life was your heart for the lost and your passion to reach them with the gospel.

You asked me that day if we could eat at Subway, and I gladly followed (trying to keep up with you, as I immediately discovered you walk as fast as you talk) on the brief walk to this location. And just before we entered Subway, you informed me that you ate there often--not because of the cuisine, but in order to reach those who worked there with the gospel. I then observed your conversation and interaction with those who served us. As we sat down, I immediately began to draw you out about your heart and strategy for reaching the lost. You told me that you try to frequent the same places when you eat out, run errands etc. for the purpose of sharing the gospel. Since that day, I have followed your example and have shared the gospel with many I have come to know. Whatever heart I have for the lost is the result of your example and influence (second only to that of my very good friend Kenneth Maresco).

Oh! So sometimes maybe those one minute interactions could end up as multiple one minute interactions on different days! Ah! Tip of the day :)

Bus school

In the not-too-distant past, an acquaintance told me that people like to talk. Granted this is not a novel idea, and it can at times be true for me, but I saw this to be quite true of a couple of fellow bus riders today. One was a fellow complete with binoculars and a pin-clad hat. It was kind-of remarkable how he kept spouting off ideas in his conversation with the bus driver. It was interesting to see what triggered his thoughts. His ideas seemed to be quite localized for the most part - the bus world, the replacement of a bowling alley with apartments...These are real things that interested him or perhaps topics with which he felt he could connect with the local community -- the driver.

There was another chatty man on the bus. The two may have been on the bus at the same time for awhile, but eventually it ended up being just that other man in the front part of the bus. And he sure liked to talk! But when it was just him, who was he talking to? I was in a seat near that front section, and I believe there was another passenger on the other side of the aisle behind the main section, but I ended up responding to the talker to a degree. It was just so interesting. At first he chatted away, I think mainly about the bus price situation, but eventually he talked a bit to me in particular...he guessed that I worked. I responded affirmatively and told him I teach, which led to further conversation. He sure carried the weight of that conversation! And what were the topics? Again a local interest, followed by a shift to talking about my life, which influenced the ensuing conversation.

Maybe I'll learn from the bus folk over time. Not sure I'll ever be proficient in talking about local interests with a passion quite the same as these 'vocal experts', but maybe I'll improve my small talk skills from this kind-of...bus school ;)

Raindrops on roses...

Ah, the little things in life...

Though we rarely e-mail each other now, a friend and I usually closed our messages with a fun little thing in the traditional "love" or "take care" spot. She and I noticed those little things in life, and here is a slice of her yearbook message to me in our final year of high school (10 years ago this year!):



It would be good to more consciously recognize and be appreciative of those little things.

Today I tried a different bus route home from work, and, I really liked it! I transferred downtown, and the second bus route included a couple of scenic views. Even one of the bus passengers commented on one of the views. Nice. I will probably take this route again. A nice little blessing...or big blessing. Location is one of the things I like best about the area in which I live. Truly I'm blessed.

We/I should take advantage of the little things in the 'random' spare moments. Although students often give me candies to enjoy during the 10 minute break in my long class, I feel like I don't take a *complete* break during this time. But the students seem to know how to take advantage of it - with their water bottles and food items and all (our class is at lunchtime). It's kind-of inspiring. I think I should put a little more effort into noticing, pursuing, and enjoying the little things in life.

(edit 2/15)

Spontaneous Acts of Kindness

...are wonderful!!

Like today, my friend called me and asked me if I had read my Bible yesterday. Other than the Bible study I went to, it's possible that I may not have. When she came to class, she gave me a cookie(s), wrapped up in foil - as an incentive.

How thoughtful!!!!!

Thank you, friend, if you read this :)