Perspective

Lately I've been reminded of the importance of perspective. It's hard to keep it and easy to lose it.

• Friends who have lost their beloved pets. Reminds me to cherish the time I have left with mine and laugh at his silly antics and kiss him goodnight and take him for his greatly anticipated daily walks.
• The persecuted church around the world. Reminds me to be grateful I can freely read my Bible and go to church without fear of death.
• Friends with young kids. Reminds me to be grateful for uninterrupted Sunday afternoon naps and outings with friends to Starbucks whenever I want. This is particularly poignant when sometimes the desire for marriage and companionship and family rings so loudly I can't hear much else.
• A difficult season at work. And a reminder from a godly man older than I to stop putting so much attention on what hasn't gone well and instead to focus on what has gone well and areas where I have succeeded.
• A sermon on the end of life. And a reminder to live life hard and fast inside the lines. Take opportunities and don't be afraid and all the while live smartly and with courage.
• A hot Texas summer. A reminder to cherish memories of vacations in cooler countries.

Mr. Darcy about ten years ago.

Melrose Abbey, Scotland

T&K Criminal Investigators, scene 2

These two work in deft and seamless partnership, especially when they are hunting for bugs in the house. Below are exhibits from scene two.

In the event you have a bug infestation, I highly recommend their services.

Engaging people

How good are you at engaging people you don't know in a meaningful and lasting way?

I was recently at a small event (7 people or less) and I was the only person that didn't know the other people (I did know the host). Throughout the course of being in a relatively confined space with each other for several hours, I experienced a lack of engaging questions or an effort on their part to get to know me. In response to my questions about work or "where are you from" I would get short answers and no return volley. I found it very strange. And disappointing, to be honest.

It also got me thinking.

How good are we at getting to know people we just met? Do we see every encounter as an opportunity or just a blip in time to be quickly forgotten? Do we see this human in front of us as just that -- human? Fully made in God's image? Worthy of your time and attention, even if it's just two or three focused minutes.

Here are some questions that could lend to engagement on a simplistic and human level:

Basic questions:

• Where are you from originally?
• What do you do for work?
• What do you do in your free time?
• What is the best / worst vacation you've ever taken?
• What destinations are on your travel list?
• What are three things on your "bucket" list?

More in-depth questions for later: 

• What have you learned lately?
• What have you recently been challenged with?
• What have you recently found success in?
• How would you describe your faith?
• What have you learned about God recently?
• Where would you like to be in 5 years? 10 years?

Now, obviously, circumstances will determine which of the above questions are appropriate or not.  You may not want to ask the "faith question" to a complete stranger at the gas pump. (But then again, maybe that would be completely appropriate!)

Finally, none of this is hard to do -- it's actually really simple. Most people like to talk about themselves and appreciate genuine questions and focus sent their direction. So the next time you're in a setting where strangers reside, pick up one or two questions and see how they land. You just might make someone's day! 

 

Come Thou Fount

Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.

Hebrews 12: 1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.