I would have never believed the world could begin to shrink, but as certain as the sun rising in the morning and fading away with the evening it did. HOW, you might ask could the world shrink.
I am not speaking of a smaller physical land form, but instead the people withing. I first began to notice my shrinking world when I moved to Texas. You can live in the midst of millions of people and actually know fewer people than you did when residing in the middle of 20,000. Large cities are not conducive to a plethora of relationships. The void of common history also builds a natural barrier of mutual interest. There is no picking up where you left off when you have only lived in an area for a brief time period.
I moved back to Ruston thinking I would once again be exposed to large numbers of friends and acquaintances. It wasn't long before I found myself running in a rut. I was doing the same things, with the same people on an on-going basis. The friends I was in contact with are wonderful people, but I was not seeking difference in my life. As I made the same circles day after day, the rut was growing deeper and deeper and my world was shrinking.
God began to open up new opportunities with a wide variety of people from all age groups. The first meeting with the new ministry opportunity group found me in a room full of YOUNG people~the age of my children. Half the time, in the first meeting, I did not know what they were talking about or as they threw around names--who the people were. To my amazement, there is a bright new world full of young people with a passion for ministry. I left invigorated and excited about new opportunities.
I believe it is a natural phenomena for our worlds to begin shrinking as we age, UNLESS we are careful to continue to expand them. We begin to have tunnel vision when we see and hear the same things over and over. Balance is always the key in keeping our worlds expanding. Hopefully I will not wake up some day and have turned into one of these old people who tell the same old stories over and over. The old stories are wonderful to hear, but how refreshing to add a new one to the mix occasionally.
Wisdom can come with age. To have the opportunity to share your wisdom, there is a need to have cultivated friends of all ages. My peers are not so interested in my wisdom~they have been there done that. The younger people in my circle though are open and interested in life's stories and things I have learned. The key to sharing is getting out of the rut and seeking new opportunities. I am always amazed at who God places in my path. It is a two way street of exchanging ideas~win/win!
26 You will come to the grave in full vigor,
like sheaves gathered in season.
Job 5:26
True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in having many friends and acquaintances. I was on the bus once peacefully eating an onion and strawberries sandwich when this old lady sat next to me and asked, "Do you know what time it is?"
I quickly thought and said, "Yes, it is time you bought a watch of your own!" and I moved to another seat.
I reasoned this way, and I hope you agree with my reasoning, Lulu. I reasoned that if I told her the time she would start chatting, about the weather at first, then something else, about shopping, or whatever. Then as we got off the bus she'd suggest we have a cup of tea at the old peoples' centre where she goes to get her breakfast. (I had already eaten an onion and strawberries sandwich). Then she'd suggest I visit her home, help her with the shopping perhaps, or the gardening. Then she'd visit my home. Perhaps meet my family. And she'd introduce her family to mine. Then, Heaven forbid someone in my family might like someone in her family. Perhaps they would marry. And I would have this old lady permanently in my life. What a happy prospect.
So I told her to buy her own watch and avoid all these problems in the future. More people should follow my example and ignore other people.
You, on the other hand, are worth having as a friend.
God bless.
Victor, a great story with a moral.
ReplyDeleteSit down by a young person when boarding the bus.
They will totally ignore you since they have buds in their ears and are staring at a screen.
Thanks for the laugh!
Blessings, My Friend!
One of the smartest things I did years ago was to accept my associate pastor's invitation to join the college Bible study she led at the time. She assured me that the kids would love it. You know what? She was right, and I loved it, too. We were able to give each other different perspectives that enhanced our learning and relationships. What a blessing! I do need to do something like that again . . .
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Lulu!
Wow, what a great post!! As you know, I attend a Univ. that holds many different beliefs...and sometimes it is just hard to handle and then I think, "Ok Lord...you put me here for a reason." Open minds and open doors (or is it closed doors? lol)
ReplyDeleteBTW, I start back August 26. I saw your question. My internship ends August 2. I am thinking that it really wasn't much of a internship--she hasn't exactly followed through on her part...well, that is another story. smiles