Opportunity?.... or Interruption?

Today I visited the U.S. Postal Office. 
You know, the archaic mode of communication known as the mail. 
I entered to find a line winding through the foyer filling the room. It was moving at an agreeable pace until I was the next to be assisted. I stood for a few minutes content with the situation. This in itself surprised me. Typically I would be easily frustrated that my daily, time-allotted, minute by minute schedule was being disrupted. Instead I was not in a rush. I turned to the lady behind me, dressed in a ripped t-shirt, and obviously disgruntled by the nuisance, and light-heartily remarked about the wait. She went on to express her frustration. Somehow we transitioned to talking about her kids and how expensive college was and how impossible it is to find a good job these days...and on and on. By this time the remainder of the line became bystanders and listened in on our conversation. What else was there to do anyways? Plus, the volume at which she was speaking made her comments unavoidable. 


Soon after it was my turn. I'm sure each person behind me was subconsciously hoping I would not be high maintenance. I jovially bantered with Douglas, the postal worker, with the hope of getting a laugh out of the bystanders. After all, as unique as each of us were standing in line we did share the commonality of desiring to be in and out of there as quickly as possible. 


I did not belabor the process and swiftly exited. My neighbor in line was also exiting. I mentioned I was glad to have gotten through. Then that led to this and then this led to that and we stood together conversing like dear old friends. After just a few short moments it was evident we had quite a bit in common. My neighbor was not bashful in any way but rambled on from one topic to the next. I was ready to monopolize any moments to keep the conversation going, but there was no need. 


As I stood their I wondered how long this would go on, not because I wanted it to conclude, more out of curiosity. She was not hesitant at all, rather, open and chatty. I pondered what it would be like having coffee with this dear lady all the while enjoying the conversation. 
Probably a half an hour later...
She mentioned needing to depart, yet as we walked to our cars (conveniently parked close by each other) our conversation continued. Before concluding I asked for her name and told her mine. 


Maureen. 
My neighbor in line,
My new unexpected friend, 
One who not long before was merely a stranger
Became a friend.
Through our unforeseen encounter I was enlightened, reminded...
That a long line does not have to be a nuisance, instead, it is an opportunity, 
An opportunity to converse, challenge, encourage...
All the while providing perspective to another's life. 
Maureen inspired gratitude in me. 


This encounter reminded me of my abnormal fascination and love for making strangers friends. 
I love discovering something about someone. I love knowing people and why they are they way they are and why they do the things they do. It excites me as i am enraptured by their stories, their families, their experiences... there is really nothing like it. 


How often am I presented with the opportunity to make a stranger a friend?
Unfortunately, most of the time I am enthralled by my minute-to-minute agenda that I miss these profound moments. People, lines, traffic, unexpected delays become interruptions instead of opportunities. 
I'm glad Maureen was not the case. 

Glance or Gaze?

Have you ever seen someone a million times, but then feel like you've seen them for the first time? 

Does this ever happen to you?

Have you met someone and then later had a conversation with them and your perspective of them has been transformed? 

This happens to me all of the time. It's not that my initial thoughts of everyone are negative, rather I don't know them. 

I glance at them, I glance into their life. But it is not until I gaze into their eyes, into who they are that I see. It is through conversation that this happens. 

What is so crazy is that their appearance changes. They look different. It may be because I never really saw them, or maybe I was not looking. It may be because of preconceived notions. It may be because of a variety of different things, but what is important is that I see them.

Meeting someone is good but it is not enough. It is not until you stop and have a conversation with them that you really see them for who they are. 

Don't just glance. Gaze. See people for who they are not for how they seem, how they appear, how they come across...gaze into their soul.

This requires sacrifice. 

A glance only takes a second, but a conversation could take minutes...which could lead to days, then months, and even years. 

What is the point of meeting someone? Isn't it to know them? 

Is the sacrifice worth it?

Is it even that big of a deal?

When slowing down to see people becomes a big deal I have become to big in my own eyes and I am no longer serving my purpose in life.

Maybe it is through listening that one's perspective is changed?

Maybe it is during and after genuinely hearing someone that they can really be seen. 

I encourage you, I challenge you to listen, hear, look, see, gaze.

strange but wonderful

I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted. When I began this blog I thought to myself, "Everybody says they create a blog and then never post...I'm going to be different." HA, ya right...

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I am finding myself in an odd place. This is the first time in about a month that I have not had any hw due the next day, an event, or plans (on a weeknight). The strange part is that I don't know what to do with myself! 
I love it! I don't think I have ever craved a couch so much! :)

Yesterday things were quite different. Yesterday and the past few days everything seemed to be swirling around me and sucking me in to mini tornadoes. I was reminded that unless I keep my eyes on Jesus I will become consumed with what needs to be done, who needs to be seen, where I need to be...
Although I have to remind myself it is vital that my eyes remain fixed on Him.

Is anything really more important than Him?

Captivate

According to Dictionary.com "captivate" means: to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence"

There are a couple of reasons I chose to call my blog "captivated".
First, I am consistently captivated by the one who created me and how he continually loves me unconditionally. 
Second, my name, Rebecca, means "captivating."
Third, I hope that this blog will capture your attention and bring refreshment to you. I also hope you become captivated by your creator if you aren't already.

Here Goes Something

It's about time I guess. I'm not one that is anti-technology, but I am skeptical before jumping in. So now I am officially a blogger :)

I am an avid journaler and so I figured that it is about time to share my thoughts with the world (not that I'm expecting anyone to follow me). I can easily write when my eyes are the only ones that will ever read it...but this is a little different. Now whoever has the opportunity to get a glimpse into my soul...this will be a fun challenge. 

So here goes something...to something that will hopefully help me process my thoughts and to not be afraid of sharing them with those out there...

Here goes nothing...i don't think so, this is going to be something great!