HELLO!

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it”. Hebrews 13:2

Normally, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I am here early to check messages and then off to visit people, in their homes, at coffee shops, in the hospital. I return for brief periods, Kaitlin and Bethe tell me what I missed, and then I am off again. Today, with Bethe not feeling well, I decided to stay in the church. I had two pastoral visits, both in my office, I saw people walk by and I waved at them (they waved back). That meant I was here when people dropped in, and there were several. At one point someone case to retrieve a BBQ, we found it in the shed. At another point a woman was walking by the church, ducked her head in to say hello, and I gave her a tour (Kaitlin was engaging another visitor). I also went to get the mail, which gave me the excuse to meet the people sitting on benches, watching ducks. I also spoke to pickle-ball players, who were parking their cars, on their way to the courts. HELLO! I would call out.

I had some very interesting conversations today. I am a talker (you know this) but I am also keenly interested in others, their stories, what they find interesting about life. I am fortunate enough to have a good memory, so if I hear a story, I can usually raise it again when I meet the person for a second time. There is only one problem, because I have a good memory, I tend to remember the name I used when I first met the person. Even when corrected, I will likely say that name again, and again. Recently I heard that someone had a father-in-law named Doug. I thought it was Bruce. Do you think I asked about “Bruce” again? You know I did.

One reason I think I am gifted with so many good conversations is…my agenda is not to convince people, correct people, or interrupt people to tell them MY story about the same topic the other is sharing with me. “I was so miserable last night I went to the hospital”, someone might share in a group. And the usual response, “Oh, I was miserable last month, I went to the Emergency Department and waited until 2 am.” What is missing is follow up. When the first speaker tells us he was miserable and went to the hospital, he might be ready to tell us what happened, not necessarily expecting others to share their hospital stories. Also, if I tell people about my weekend, I am not expecting free advice. “Kim and I went to the Hubbards Market”. Response? “You should go to the Truro Market, I do, it is great”. When someone shares a story, you never know what is being presented, where the story will lead, what you might learn, how you may be inspired or how it might change your perspective on an opinion you firmly hold. Stories have a life of their own. Peace, Kevin

PS On Sunday a visitor asked if he could meet me for coffee on Tuesday, later in the afternoon. He asked me where we might meet. I suggested the Tim’s on my way home, on Main Street. He was there when I walked in. He shared some of his story with me. At the end of our conversation he told me he was headed home tonight, by plane. He did not tell me his name or where he lived. As we parted, he passed me an envelope. When I got home, I opened it and discovered it was a bumper sticker. Here it is.