Whenever I drive in to work, unless I am really early, I notice women talking in the parking lot. Since we have two pre-schools on site we have a lot of parents dropping kids off for a class or day care. Usually it is women, though there are a few men who assume that duty, who drop off their kids. Inevitably I notice that a couple of those women don't get back in their car right away, they stop and talk with one another.
Perhaps a better word would be they converse with one another. They are not just talking about the game last night or a quick, "Hi, how are you?" They are in a conversation. Sometimes they are catching up and saying hi to other people in the parking lot and sometimes they are deep in conversation, intent on articualting and hearing what the other person is saying.
I see this as an illustration of the way Jesus dealt with people in the New Testament. Jesus conversed with people. He spoke to people on an individual basis. He did not have a set spiel which he repeated to everyone, but he spoke to them about their individual concerns or challenges.
I need to take more time conversing with people. Relationships should be our number one priority and that means taking time to get to know each other, that means interrupting our agenda so we can walk with another through the joys and difficulties of life.
Next time you see someone you know take time to converse with them. Take time to check in with them about their journey. You nor I have to do that with everyone, but let's try to take time with at least one person this week and really grow in our relationship with them.
The parking lot may not be the best place for a conversation, but that is a good place to start, besides our car is already parked there let's use that to our advantage.
Talking in the lot with you,
Pastor Randy
