Stop... Listen... and Learn

My friend, Jerry, invited me to play golf last Friday.  Jerry volunteers as a marshal at a local course and he was excited to show me the layout.  He had reserved a tee time and instructed me to meet him in the parking lot a half hour before.  Since I had never been to the course I left early and was there plenty early.  On arrival I sent Jerry a text saying that I was waiting and then proceeded to get out my clubs and change into my golf shoes.  As I was doing so, a fellow rode up in a golf cart and asked if I needed a ride to the club house.  Turns out he was waiting for his playing partner as well.  Before I could accept his offer my phone vibrated.  I checked and had a text message from Jerry; “Wait.”  I declined the fellow’s offer and ask what his tee time was.  It turned out he had the time just before ours.  As he responded he became quite agitated.   “This guy is always late,” he complained.  “He’s a young guy and he doesn’t wear a watch.”

 I reached into my car to get my face mask that I would need to enter the club house.  “You know this whole virus thing is a hoax,” he boldly stated.  He then proceeded to give me a lecture on how the virus was a plot to keep President Trump from being reelected.  I wanted to tell him I had lost an Uncle to the virus, but decided it was not worth the argument. 

Fortunately, my friend Jerry soon arrived.  I was grateful I had read his text.  Turns out since Jerry volunteers at the course he had enough hours credited so that he could cover my greens fee.  Unfortunately, Jerry had not had to hear the same discourse from my new friend.  The upside was that he offered Jerry a ride to the clubhouse so he could check-in and get our golf cart.  I followed behind carrying my clubs. 

I arrived at the staging area to find Jerry in the cart waiting for me.  “We won’t have time to hit any practice balls he reported.  The group ahead of us is waiting on one person, so we can move up.”  My mind immediately went back to the fellow we had met.  In the mean time a call had gone out over the speaker that someone was to report to the #1 tee immediately.  Within a minute our friend from the parking lot raced past us heading for the tee box.  It turns out his friend had been waiting for him the whole.

Since we had arrived at the tee as well, we were privy to a rather heated exchange.  It turns out the fellow waiting in the tee box had tried to text and call his waiting partner.  Our new friend was so caught up in his anger and frustration that he never checked his phone.  He just assumed he was right and the other gentleman was late.  Fortunately, the golf course starter intervened and got them on their way, alas ten minutes behind schedule.

As we waited for our turn, we had an opportunity to process what had taken place with the marshal who was serving as starter.  He shared our opinion that what had happen was so typical of what is wrong with our world today.  People do not communicate.  Messages are sent, but all to often we get caught up in our own opinion and biases. That keeps us from hearing the messages and opinions of others. 

I’ve sensed it as I visit with my neighbors and discover the barriers created by the political signs in the front yards.  I have heard it in visits around the coffee pot at church and seen it played out in social media.  Unfortunately, we all witnessed it in the first Presidential Debate.  We have lost our ability to listen, and learn from each other.  We have lost our ability to be civil and fair with each other.  And, we have lost the ability to love one another. 

I pray we can again learn to stop… listen…. and learn.

and seen it played out in social media.  Unfortunately, we all witnessed it in the first Presidential Debate.  We have lost our ability to listen, and learn from each other.  We have lost our ability to be civil and fair with each other.  And, we have lost the ability to love one another. 

I pray we can again learn to stop… listen…. and learn.

Standing in the Gap

We are still six weeks away from the national election and I am already weary of the political rhetoric.  We have stopped answering the house phone, knowing most of the calls are political in nature.  I pretend to have blinders on when I take my evening walks around the neighborhood trying to ignore the political yard signs.  I do not watch much television but when I do it is usually pre-recorded so I can fast-forward through the political commercials.  The one place I cannot avoid the political rhetoric is Facebook.  Social media is part of my life.  I use it not only to network with friends but share my ministry.  I can block the political ads but I am not going to unfriend someone just because I find their political statement offensive. 

Jesus is not pro-republican or pro-democrat.  When Jesus died on the cross, He did so for all people.  He loves those who are pro-life, just as He does those who are pro-choice.  He loves the gun rights activist the same way He loves those who pursue legislation to restrict who has the weapons.  He loves those who come to our borders seeking a new life in the same way he loves those who live in gated communities.  He loves those who want to make America great again, in the same way he loves those who cry for social justice and the end of racial inequality.  I pray each morning for President Trump in the same way I pray for Vice President Biden. 

From my perspective, I am called to stand in the gap holding high the cross of Jesus Christ.  He continues to be the only hope for our broken world.  The heated voices from either side only dishonor the Savior who died for us.  What our world needs is the hope and healing only Jesus can provide. 

Yes, I have an opinion.  When it comes to casting my vote, I will express that at the ballot.  In the meantime, I am standing in the gap praying for both sides.

 

The Eyes Have It

I have recently returned from a road trip.  It was my extended venture out into the new world.  Our son, Mark, and I traveled 2500 miles in seven days to attend a funeral in Michigan.  My 97-year-old uncle was one of the early victims of COVID-19 but we were not able to have a family gathering until now.  Uncle Don was a World War II vet, so he was buried with military honors.  He loved bagpipes and we were able to find an excellent piper to provide the music for the grave-side service.  Other than his pastor and the honor guard, the service was limited to family.

Trip itself seemed a little surreal.  We spent five nights in hotels and seldom saw anyone.  The lobbies were deserted and, with one exception, there was no complementary breakfast.  The people who served us were all wearing masks, which severely limited the conversation.  With two exceptions we ate only in fast-food restaurants, trying to use drive-thru when possible.  We restricted our rest stops to travel centers where we felt the restrooms would be clean and spacious.  Overall, I felt safe, and seemed to have returned home healthy.

I do have a few observations that I think will help us all as we move forward.  I say that because I now believe this is a long-term situation.  I think we are going to be living in this environment until there is a vaccine that is available to all who desire it.  That could be as long as a year from now.  So, as you venture out, here are some things to expect

People are more respectful. People are social distancing and as a result they seem to be more considerate of others.  People are not only giving each other space but seem to be more patient as they wait their turn in line.  In my time on the road, I cannot recall hearing one harsh word.

People seem distant.  What can I say?  I miss the casual conversations with people.  I enjoy meeting other travelers and those local people who serve me.  I enjoy talking with the truckers when I stop at a travel center and the spontaneous conversation with the people around me when I stop at a restaurant.  My mask creates an obvious barrier.  There is also the reality that there are few people close by to visit with.

Intimacy is a challenge.  I attended a funeral but there were few hugs.  The embraces I did receive were awkward.  As a result, my words need to convey more.  I need to go out of my way to express the things that I am feeling.  In the process I am giving other people the opportunity to express their feelings as well.

The eyes have it.  With our facial expressions hidden behind a mask, our eyes must become the way we reveal who we are.  Eye contact is not enough.  Our eyes must convey the hope that we have as the people of God.  If there is fear and despair in our hearts, that will be communicated through our eyes.  If there is one thing the world needs today, it is a spirit of hope.