Everyone starts out as someone you never knew. That spouse, that child, that pastor, that employer, yes, they all started out as someone you didn't know. Now, you can't imagine your life without them. Perhaps then, you couldn't imagine your life with them.
What I want to share with you today is a dying art. Making friends and initiating relationships is something few if any do today. Many have their immediate circle of friends and that's it. New faces may walk in, and out of the room but they are not permitted into the circle. Loneliness is a hug problem in the world. People everywhere want to belong. Someone has to take them in. I am not suggesting that anyone take on more friends and family members than they can handle, but a simple, "Hello, I'm (insert your name here)," isn't going to hut anyone. Let me give you an example. I started a Cycling class. It meets the same times every week. So, I started introducing myself, just my "Hello I'm Rena." Then, if they smiled and seemed open to it I would say if they didn't, which many times they did, "I didn't catch your name?" Then, I would make it a point to say their name during, or after class or when they left. Something simple like, "Nice meeting you Chris. Great class. Will I see you Tuesday?" They may say something like, "No, but I will be back on Friday." I simply say, "Okay have a great week." The next time I see them I say, "Hi Chris." Eventually, we might grab a towel for one another, or a Clorox wipe to clean down the bike. We may just keep it right there, a "Hi" and a "See you next class." The fact of the matter is someone noticed them. Someone cared enough to say, "Hey, glad to see you."
What I want to share with you today is a dying art. Making friends and initiating relationships is something few if any do today. Many have their immediate circle of friends and that's it. New faces may walk in, and out of the room but they are not permitted into the circle. Loneliness is a hug problem in the world. People everywhere want to belong. Someone has to take them in. I am not suggesting that anyone take on more friends and family members than they can handle, but a simple, "Hello, I'm (insert your name here)," isn't going to hut anyone. Let me give you an example. I started a Cycling class. It meets the same times every week. So, I started introducing myself, just my "Hello I'm Rena." Then, if they smiled and seemed open to it I would say if they didn't, which many times they did, "I didn't catch your name?" Then, I would make it a point to say their name during, or after class or when they left. Something simple like, "Nice meeting you Chris. Great class. Will I see you Tuesday?" They may say something like, "No, but I will be back on Friday." I simply say, "Okay have a great week." The next time I see them I say, "Hi Chris." Eventually, we might grab a towel for one another, or a Clorox wipe to clean down the bike. We may just keep it right there, a "Hi" and a "See you next class." The fact of the matter is someone noticed them. Someone cared enough to say, "Hey, glad to see you."
People are people regardless of age. People do not have to look like you or be your age to say, "Hello." As a matter of fact, if we are old then we need to model for the younger generations being friendly and kind. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit that stems from love. We are to love everyone. One way we show love is by being kind to those that are lonely.
Many of us shop online, bank online, order up our food, pick-up our shopping order at the grocery store, watch Netflix or Hulu and never talk to anyone we don't already know. Heaven may be a shock, to even the best of Christians when they realize they will have to share the streets of gold. (smile)
Many of us shop online, bank online, order up our food, pick-up our shopping order at the grocery store, watch Netflix or Hulu and never talk to anyone we don't already know. Heaven may be a shock, to even the best of Christians when they realize they will have to share the streets of gold. (smile)
ACTION STEP: Today, step out of your circle to touch someone else's life, if only for a moment. Just say, "Hello" to the neighbor you have lived beside for years and still don't know their name. Actually smile at someone and say "Hi" for starters. I'm not telling you to be weird. Yes, I know it's a dangerous world we live in, but isolating ourselves and others is exactly what the devil wants--and he is getting it, and he is using us.
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