Yesterday was about connecting with people, really connecting, on a personal level. If was also the day of my birthday celebration with my family. Plenty of opportunity to connect: the girls that work in the Climbzone, the people that were climbing with me, the waiting staff at the restaurant, the person that served me in a shop. What a day! I did try to connect personally with all of these people, we had conversations and I learned one or two names, there were smiles - the Climbzone girls looked as if it was the first time anyone had thanked them personally!
The best connection, however, was with Derek, the barista in Costa. While preparing a large order for me and my family we got into conversation (note to self: if you want to really connect with coffee shop staff order 7 coffees - they can't go anywhere and you won't go anywhere!). Enquiries about whether today was good were met positively, his colleague chipped in hers was a good day too, another colleague joined the conversation. We talked not of the weather but of the activities they were involved in today. I tried to hear what was going on in their lives. I tried not to talk about myself (a fault I know I can be guilty of). Did we have deep theological discussion? Was I able to take these folk forward in their faith? No. Were there three people who looked and sounded affirmed because they were recognised as people rather than service providers? I believe so! Was there one person who had discovered the joy of connecting? Definitely ! There may have been others as well!
(Incidentally, thanks to my wife for a fantastic day!)
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