Young Friends
In my mind, I’m still in my early 20s. Heck, in my mind, I’m probably more of a 12-year-old boy most days. In fact, I can’t talk about the most recent probe to Uranus without snickering.
Now, I have reached the age where I’m ignored, for the most part, by young people. Young women are no longer worried that I am hitting on them. Young men don’t feel threatened (at all). All good aspects because it allows me, an introvert, to sit back and enjoy their interaction and carefully pick my opportunities to participate in their conversation. However, I still want to be a light on a night stand for them (and others) whenever I can. It makes me happy when I wear down young people’s ignoring of older people and they open up to me.
This happened to me last week with a couple of young music majors.
I walked into this student lounge area and the young lady sitting there saw me and enthusiastically waved at me. She is developing a product that she hopes to market and I had provided some advice based on my experience. A different young lady walked into the lounge area and we started talking about the class we are both in. I was absent on Tues. (I had to go to a funeral) and I asked her what was taught. She is brilliant (in fact the comment was made that she recently not only finished all the homework for the semester but went back and redid it all) and tried explaining the determination of diminished and augmented intervals (it is as complex as it sounds).
So, I walked into class on Thursday after two pleasant conversations with young people. I was breaking the age ceiling, so to speak.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” - Matthew 5:43-48
I learned a long time ago that most people naturally want to be happy and friendly towards each other. Unfortunately, we learn to be distrustful and cautious of others, afraid of being hurt. If you smile at a person or wave at a person or say “good morning”, there is a very good chance that they will respond similarly. Who knows what door you may open, what seed you may be able to plant, whose day you may brighten (if only for a brief time). Doesn’t it seem worth the extra effort?
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
