323 – Taking Time to Chat

#faithbites #faithjourney chat

I was walking into work today thinking of the many things I had to do. Then I stopped at a colleagues office who I hadn’t seen in a few days and talked to her for probably 20 minutes or so. We chatted about work, life, school, health, Thanksgiving, and more. It was nice to catch up and gave me a little pick me up to start the day at work.

We live in a time where life is fast-paced and serious. We have so many things to do and so many serious issues taking up our time. When do we stop and “smell the roses”. Last night I had a good friend and her daughter come over and bring us homemade cookies. They came in and we just chatted for a few minutes. Nothing serious, just catching up.

These are the moments when we build the foundation of our relationships. Then when we face the struggles of life, we can build upon that solid beginning. A simple chat can have lifelong impacts

Scripture

• Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. – 2 Timothy 1:13
• A friend loves at all times,
      and a brother is born for a time of adversity. – Proverbs 17:17

Reflection

Anyone who knows me, knows I like to talk. I can talk to anyone about anything forever. What most people don’t know, is that it is very hard for me to create deep friendships. I talk with people, relate, and have fun, but connecting on that level is hard. When we think about chatting with others, that is the first step. We should have words that are filled with faith and love of Christ. When we start conversing on that open and honest level, even if it isn’t about a deep philosophical issue or anything, we become closer. As it says in Proverbs, we start as a friend who loves at all times, then when those difficult times come, we have a new brother.

Taking a few minutes to chat with someone helps me. In most cases, it’s a casual hello and how is it going. I am rewarded by it and I hope those I chat with are as well. But sometimes, there are those simple conversations that turn into the deep moments. I have made some of my closest friends through conversations that started as a simple chat. Just remember, when we chat, if we do it with the love of Christ, the Holy Spirit can make amazing things happen.

Charge

Do you plan to chat with people in your daily life? Maybe you just have the same few people you have a casual conversation with every day. Take time to plan a chat. Just step outside of your office and your comfort zone and say hi. Maybe it will just be a nice little chat, maybe it will turn into a deep relationship. You don’t know if you don’t speak.

Lord, help me to be open to new experiences and friendships. Give me the strength to say hi and just chat. Provide me with the knowledge that not every conversation has to be deep and meaningful and that sometimes a simple chat can be just what you ordered.