Today was a perfect day for it: a four hour car ride home, not much human interaction. Me, my car, some music, and the Lord. Looking back on the day I did a lot of talking but couldn't recall anytime where I just listened.
These 90 days I'm looking for much more then just reading the Bible. I used the word consuming last blog. I want to be completely consumed with God, His Word, and His people.
Today on my way home I stopped at the same place I always do the Burger King/Exxon station. For my usual Number 7: Chicken Fries, 12 Piece, Go Large. I pulled in and parked my car. I got out and saw a man standing next to the entrance. I assumed he was homeless from his mannerisms and his choice of wardrobe. As I got closer to the entrance he started friendly conversation, "Isn't this weather beautiful, I bet it's nice with them windows down and that sun roof popped open." I was nice back, but I was pretty nervous wondering what his intentions were. I walked into the store and began to order. He came in and asked for water and continued to talk with me. I sat down and began to eat wondering if he was going to sit down with me. He didn't, he went outside right back to the entrance where he had previously been. I finished eating and got up to walk outside nervous that if I walk outside and go to my car he may jump me. It didn't happen, he told me to have a safe trip and a wonderful day. I got into my car and drove away speechless.
These next three days I'm going to put the Word down and focus on my interactions with people I encounter and focus on the relationships I have here while I'm home. I want to really make it a point to treat them like brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm sure the man was just being friendly, and you know it made my day, it really stood out.
As I pulled away from the BK/Exxon I wondered why I was so nervous was it because I legitimately thought I was going to get jumped or was it because random people don't usually start conversations with strangers and I really didn't know how to respond to it. Maybe a little of both. Needless to say I find it sad that so many people these days don't go out of there way to make friendly conversation with people anymore everything is strictly business. How can I go from point A to point B as fast as I can?
I remembered a quote, I forgot where I heard it, "Be comfortable, being uncomfortable."
How many times a day do you deliberately put yourself in an uncomfortable situation?
How many times a day do you try to keep yourself in comfortable situations?
Well I'm sure most of us have the same answer.
So my challenge is to do exactly this put yourself in the uncomfortable situation.
Be that man standing outside burger king.
Over the next three days I'm going to try to be that man, and blog about my interactions with the people and see how they respond to a random stranger just trying to make friendly conversation. If you try it feel free to comment, I think it'll be fun!
I was a little everywhere this blog from praying to listening to interactions with people.
As I was listening I really starting to focus on relationships and I took of with that.
I started trying to step outside my comfort zone, especially where interacting with other people is concerned. Last week on the subway, I was sitting next to a woman in her late sixties, early seventies. We started talking, about life, relationships, whatever popped into our heads. She showed me a picture of a beautiful young woman and told me that it was her as a girl. She then said that that's who she still was on the inside. Then she told me to always make sure I keep me on the inside too, and to always be true to her. It stuck with me, and though I understand the words she was saying, I have a feeling that I won't comprehend the full meaning of the idea until much later in life. This little old lady who's name I don't even remember said things that I will probably be pondering for the rest of my life. All of this happened in a ten minute conversation on the train.
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