A New Friend
Another Day Along the Way
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Another day,
Did you meet a friend this week?
Not just a friend you've known for a long time. What about a person who became your friend after you met them for the first time?
I know. It isn't that easy. We live in a fast-paced world and hardly have time to enjoy friendships we already have. So meeting people for the first time and choosing to invest ourselves--time, energy, conversation, care--is difficult because we have little energy left in our account.
But I'm glad I spoke to a man this week. I arrived early at a breakfast meeting. He was there, eating with a friend. Later--after the scrambled eggs were all gone and I headed out the door with my dear friend--I voiced a few comments to the stranger I had not yet met. We both smiled, introduced ourselves to each other, and went separate ways. My other friend and I prayed, said goodbye, and I headed to my car. The stranger came by again and realized he had heard of me after all.
So we talked again. I wanted to become a friend to him. We prayed and then drove different ways. We've talked since through email; it all reminded me of how our Maker makes connections. We just need to be willing to notice, to care, to listen.
Let each of us choose to meet a friend this week. A new one; a person in need of care. Smile and say hello. Grab a little time for kindness.
Someone just might be kind toward you one day when you need them most.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Be kind, for everyone you know is facing a great battle.
(Philo of Alexandria)
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Another day,
Did you meet a friend this week?
Not just a friend you've known for a long time. What about a person who became your friend after you met them for the first time?
I know. It isn't that easy. We live in a fast-paced world and hardly have time to enjoy friendships we already have. So meeting people for the first time and choosing to invest ourselves--time, energy, conversation, care--is difficult because we have little energy left in our account.
But I'm glad I spoke to a man this week. I arrived early at a breakfast meeting. He was there, eating with a friend. Later--after the scrambled eggs were all gone and I headed out the door with my dear friend--I voiced a few comments to the stranger I had not yet met. We both smiled, introduced ourselves to each other, and went separate ways. My other friend and I prayed, said goodbye, and I headed to my car. The stranger came by again and realized he had heard of me after all.
So we talked again. I wanted to become a friend to him. We prayed and then drove different ways. We've talked since through email; it all reminded me of how our Maker makes connections. We just need to be willing to notice, to care, to listen.
Let each of us choose to meet a friend this week. A new one; a person in need of care. Smile and say hello. Grab a little time for kindness.
Someone just might be kind toward you one day when you need them most.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Be kind, for everyone you know is facing a great battle.
(Philo of Alexandria)
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