Hanging on the telephone

The telephone has been an intrinsic part of my life. When I left school I worked for a telecoms company and fitted them in people homes and workplaces. I have made and received tens of thousands of calls over the years. 

I recall the tricks of the trade: of being able to usage a phone when the dial was broken, or ring a number and walk away only for it to ring back a few moments later as some unsuspecting friend or family member was near the instrument, oh the hilarity when they picked the phone for there to be no on eat the other end! You can imagine...

These days I make relatively few phone calls. I make possibly one or two a day. Total. I average eighty emails and probably a dozen or so texts, but talk on the phone? It just doesn't happen that often today.

I am challenged today to call someone I haven't spoken to for a long time. I think I know who it will be but I may just call two people...

The physical action of calling and receiving phone calls involves many electronic and data connections but it also connects hearts and minds. I want to live as a generous person whom people know will spend time with them, either on the phone or in person, in order that we can really connect.

Now where's my phone book...?

A Day Off? But I don't want a day off!

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that today is a #40acts day off! Apparently if you really fast for Lent then you don't observe the Sunday Fast, so fair enough #40acts you're being orthodox and that's fine with me. It does give me some moments to reflect of course: on this week, on my relationship with Christ on so many things.

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!)