Being Present...

Had a lovely birthday, wishes from Bronwyn, the kids, wider family and friends; from Indonesia and across the road. After work our neighbours popped over with a bottle of wine, chips and a little painting they came across on TradeMe of two little mini cars. I have to admit I'm a Mini nut, having had two in my past, would like a new "BMW" Mini but alas can't afford one.

A few off us went to a fashion show where my daughter, Sarah, and her husband Jono were displaying some of their latest fashion creations, under their label 'Infinite Definite' (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55816122088). After the evening I noticed one of the designer labels - Fashion Ministry' - 'because you love me'. I thought that this was the opposite of Jesus ministry. His phrase was always 'because I love you'. We think that happiness comes from getting, Jesus says happiness comes through giving; the ultimate in His giving his life because he 'so loved the world'.

Being Present...
Another thought has been bugging me lately. You are sitting with a person and they ask you a question about either what you have been doing or how are you. You start to tell your story but before long you notice the other person looking away and at other happenings going on around. Or they have that 'far away look' in their eyes, you know they are not with you...so annoying.

Today this habit is compounded with a little object called a 'cell phone'! How many times do you sit with people and even when talking will be looking or operating their phone. They are here but not with you. I found the following piece particularly helpful.

"There was once a young woman who was asked what her goal in life was. She
answered, “My goal in life is to simply be fully present to the person who happens
to be right in front of me.”

Imagine being fully present, giving your undivided attention (eyes, ears, attention
etc.) to every person you met in a day! Could you do this?

To serve someone is to be present to them, to pay attention to them, to not
judge or make comments, but to listen and be open. So often in life we are never
fully present to anyone. If we are on the phone we barely pay attention to the
person on the other line or when they are speaking we may be thinking of what we
want to say next. At school, we are constantly looking around at everyone, often
not even paying attention to the person talking to us.

A great example of someone who was fully present to others is Jesus. If we think
about it, we can definitely say that Jesus was the one person in history who was
most fully present to people. How did Jesus do this? Instead of just walking by a
person, even people who were disregarded by society (like those who were sick,
lepers, blind, tax collectors etc.), Jesus would stop. He would focus only on that
person and give them time, his attention. Instead of ignoring people, Jesus would
be fully present to them—He would learn their name, look them in the eye, listen,
smile and try to understand their needs at that moment.

This is Ministry of Presence. To simply stop and say hi. To simple sit quietly with
those you meet and be present. To share your name and to ask their name as
well. To meet each person with the belief that they are special and unique and to
show them utmost respect and equality during the time you are in their presence."