Conversations: Seek What is Real

 

I recently met with a friend I hadn't seen for a few years.  He is a former pastor and current first responder chaplain.  There is so much I could share about him that is simply amazing.  Part of that is simply due to his vocations.  

We met at a coffee shop where he normally meets with his first responders.  He began making podcasts of these meetings.  They are live and you can hear the atmosphere on the audio.  Frank arrived shortly after I did.  Nevertheless, I was delayed greeting him because so many people know him.  

Our time together began with some familial updates and I had questions about where he studied theology.   He then shared his story about how all of that unfolded.  Looking back, I know I longed for a deeper connection than what we were having.  It wasn't that we weren't sharing our hearts.  It was simply that we hadn't talked long enough to get to something of vital importance.  

We were about half way into our 2 hour conversation when Frank said something that hit me. It is funny to me now that I don't even remember what he said but when he did, I was filled with a joy that spilled out of my lips when I said, "I love you."  Frank simply smiled, nodded, and replied, "I love you, too."  

How often do we miss out on the important conversations because we are hooked on the fast and easy instead of in-depth and real?  Earlier this year, my youngest son and I had a real talk.  It wasn't nearly as long because he got to their point immediately and I happened to be in a place in life I was able to quickly speak the words he needed to hear.  I could tell he absorbed them and they were what he needed.  It was dark and, shortly, he left to go home.  

My wife must have been visiting her mother or something because I was alone and literally had all the lights off when the doorbell rang.  It was my son.  He was standing there with tear fill eyes.  In a deep, strong embrace, he sobbed how much he loved me and appreciated what I said.  I should say, my words were not mere platitudes.  Instead, they were words about life's challenges and how God will make us face them sometimes regardless of what we want and how long we must suffer them.

Dear reader, in this holiday season, seek what is real.  Take and make time to have real conversations.  Be authentic with ourselves and those we love.