I go to Panera most mornings. The coffee is more to my taste than Starbucks and the refills are free. I like their choices of bread and the music is real music not just organized noise. I drink my coffee, eat a little bread and try to get a little worship time in.
If left to myself, I am quite happy to sit and focus on Bible study and thoughts for posting. I am basically a loner. I enjoy the company and the opinions expressed are outstanding. But there is a man who often meets me there and engages me in conversation. I know him from school where he volunteers and he is the opposite of me. If he sees no one to talk to he thinks about things to talk about. He is the extreme extrovert. He is one of my crutches.
Often people talk about religion being a crutch. I don’t have any major problem with that. If you are cripple or lame, you need a crutch. If you have a broken leg and refuse a crutch, that is your problem of denial, not mine. I need crutches in my social process. I know that I need to get out of my shell. I just don’t have the inclination to do so. My crutch comes along and engages me in conversation and in the process introduces me to other people he has engaged. In the process they sneak past my ramparts and become a part of my world. After I have interfaced with them I can engage them from that point on.
Today I was kibitzing with the baker. We talk and joke around like old friends. If it were not for my crutch I would not know him at all.
So I am thankful for the crutches of my world that force me out of my shell.
Now back to my computer.
homo unius libri
At the risk of sounding arrogant, being a loner probably keeps you in better company, since most folks don't have a clue these days.
ReplyDeleteNot only do they not have a clue, they are often happy to be in that condition. My little voice is telling me to be nice.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.
I like your titles. Thanks for the invitation.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.