Public buses

Today I went on the public bus..

For some of you this may not seem weird…but for me…it’s been probably about twenty four years (except for maybe once or twice a few years ago).  Today I had to spend probably about ten minutes driving on two different buses.  Which I know is not a big deal to all you city people…but to me…it’s pretty “cool”.  I’m not sure if “cool” is the correct term or not..but it was definitely different.

I had taken little E on the public bus before but he was really little.  Today he really enjoyed it and sat there just taking it all in.

So…I decided that I was going to do the same.

I sat back and watched people get in and off the bus.  I sat and watched people text, read, listen to their music…do almost everything but talk to each other.

I know I’m in a bigger city than where I currently live..but if there is one thing I love about where I live it’s that people are friendly there.  People will just come up and talk to you on the street and although I have never ridden the public bus system where I live..I know that they would strike up a conversation there too.

I sat and watched people and thought about what I just shared with you and then thought to myself….”well here I am sitting here and not striking up a conversation with anybody.  If Jesus were on the bus…sitting in amongst all those people, or standing up and holding on to the rails…do you think He would keep to Himself?”

Somehow, I doubt it.

I think Jesus would be in conversation with people…listening to them…hearing their joy, their hurt, their love, their sorrow.  I think Jesus would be a real “people” person and truly show people that He cares.  I don’t think He would be scared to talk to anybody just because they make look a little different, or may seem closed to a conversation.

Today I sat beside an older man and I thought maybe, just maybe, he doesn’t have anybody in his life to just strike up a friendly conversation with.  Maybe I was put beside him to ask him how his day was.  Just because I’m in a bigger city doesn’t mean that everybody is out to hurt me…or my child.  What kind of example am I being to my child if I just sit there and not talk to anybody and yet he knows that our purpose is to share the love of Jesus with others.

Am I truly showing love if I can’t talk to the person beside me…can’t even say hi?

I don’t think so.

So….my challenge to MYSELF is that next time I ride the bus…I’m going to try to strike up a conversation with the person next to me.  Correction:  I’m going to try to strike up a conversation with a stranger beside me.  Won’t do me much good if I just talk to Little E.  🙂

Anybody else willing to step out and take this challenge with me?  I know we don’t all travel on buses, so how about the next time you are out in the grocery store standing in line…or at the gas pump, or waiting in line at Tim’s?

I dare you to take this challenge.  In all reality it’s not really that big of a challenge.  I would love to hear your story of how maybe you had a great conversation with somebody because you truly asked how their day was.  Not the “Hi, how are you?  Good, how are you?” conversation in passing…but a really good “Hey, how has your day been so far” conversation…said with compassion..so the person knows you truly care.

If at first you don’t succeed, try again.  Remember…listen first.  🙂

And, if nobody else takes the dare..I’m still going to do it and I’ll report back to you on my challenge to myself.

Laura

Blessing:  I found a new challenge for myself…with a few blessings to come I hope.

Advertisements