Making Time for Conversation

Recently I was reading ESPN the Magazine. In each issue they have a professional athlete that writes particular stories about life in the professional sports world. This past article was about the on field conversations that take place throughout a baseball game.

For most of us, we see and hear the umpires, the crack of the bats, the sound of vendors barking sales, gloves popping, and reactions from both players and fans. It's part of the thrill of the game. But for major league players, there is another element taking place: the on field conversation. While these players know each other, they rarely have time to spend with each other. So, while playing against one another, it's catch up time. The conversations that happen on the field and in between innings consist of wishing each other luck in the next series, critiquing the pitchers, how funny someone looks in a uniform or acting in a commercial. One player wished the base runner good luck just prior to yelling out, "Running" before the steal. And of course, there are the third party conversations between player, bat boy, and fan that even take place. Who would have thought that while the average fan is locked into the atmosphere of the game, it's the players time to communicate with each other.

So, who are we talking to and what about? Everyday we cross paths with people we work with, people we do not know, and people who our in our lives at the start and conclusion of each day (family). And it seems we have gotten so busy with our schedules that our conversations have slowed down. Creating opportunities for conversation has become more of an art form than a past time at the local market or dinner table.

Having and developing relationships is important. Christ lived His life conversing with others about their lives and His. He found ways to engage them and talk about everyday experiences while communicating His love with them. As you go about your day, look for ways to communicate with people. It's not always going to be the long conversations, but rather the one minute impacting ones. The scripture speaks about the person who speaks a word of encouragement, speaks truth in love, and whose words add salt to the conversation. Be a person of communication. Listen to those talking, engage others around you, and share a word of encouragement through Christ's love.