So I have discussed listening, discussed not fixing. The final thing I want to touch on today is availability. When people hurt, they need someone to be there. That can be hard in our society. You are busy. I can say that without knowing who will read this, when, and where, because everyone is so busy. We have stuff designed to make us busy. There is always so much we need to do, have to do, want to do, should be doing, shouldn't be doing but are anyway, and so on. It seems like the list is never-ending. We are busy people and it causes a strain in relationships sometimes.
Here is my advice. Make time to not be busy. If you try to just wait until you are not busy, it won't happen. You have to plan to not have anything going. This is key for your family, but it is also true for your friends and neighbors. You have to schedule a time to be available for them. Let them know you want to be there with them, plan to have time to do things. It may require a significant amount of time, but chances are it won't. Remember they are busy too.
It may be best to be busy with someone. There are lots of things we do in common, maybe we should find time to work together and with others. Be busy beside someone. More hands make the work go faster, and the fellowship will help. People often feel isolated, just working beside someone can be healing. In today's environment of virtual everything, we miss the human connection. Never underestimate the value of just being there. Offer to help, work in the same location. Spending time with people makes a big difference.
The key is to be intentional. We let connections and opportunities slip. Capitolize on the opportunities as they come. More than that, create opportunities. Be aware of the need and find ways to connect. The tasks you set aside will still be there. The stuff we have to do is never-ending, so putting it off to invest in someone will be time well spent. Be there for someone today, and it will make a difference.
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