It was a brief conversation, but it made a lasting impression on me. A friend told me that she had gone to a casual Sunday afternoon barbeque in her neighborhood. She was new to the city and didn’t know anyone there. She left feeling sad and frustrated. No one engaged in conversation with her, and she felt alone and left out. She went again the next week with basically the same results.
On the third week that she went, there was another newcomer, just like her, but that woman was smiling and going from person to person to chat. My friend began observing her. The other woman did not wait to be approached; she took the initiative to introduce herself and spent time getting to know each new acquaintance, and she had a lovely time.
It’s possible that my friend’s sad expression had kept people at bay, but I am happy to say that by the third Sunday she had learned to be friendlier and more inviting. And she soon felt right at home with her new community of friends.
I could relate to this story as I also have a hard time meeting new people, especially in unfamiliar situations. But with practice, over the years it has become easier, and I have met such interesting people! Most everyone has a story to tell if I am an interested listener. And I learn so much.
In this month’s issue we will explore how to build community, cultivate friendships, relate to people, and understand others’ burdens. We will also learn to see our own burdens through the prism of God’s love and plan for us. Our contributors this month share personal experiences that enrich our understanding of what it means to live our Christianity in simple, practical terms. And on the subject of practical Christianity, “Forming New Habits” on pages 8–9 gives good advice concerning a modern-day challenge—how to control our use of technology before it begins to control us. All this treasure of information is at your fingertips!
May this month’s edition of Activated be a blessing in your walk with the Lord.