everyone has a story...

As I stood in the Air Canada line to get my boarding pass, I couldn't help but notice her. The tissue she was using to wipe her eyes and nose couldn't seem to keep up. Was it allergies? Did she have a cold? As she turned and walked by me, it was as I expected. She was crying. I wondered if she was leaving a loved one behind as she headed off somewhere.

As I looked around the airport, there were so many people. Most were engaged in conversation with a little device they held in their hands. Some seemed to be heading out for or heading home from business trips. I saw a young woman insisting on taking a photo of what appeared to be her father and her two young children. The grandfather crouched down to be close to the two little ones as the picture was captured. As I walked by I smiled at the man who I assume was the husband and father. He smiled back and with an overwhelming warmness in his voice he said, "It has been... a very... long... time..." 

I was mesmerized - trying to learn more about the people I was investigating.

So many stories.

One of the reasons I love being in Ethiopia because I am immersed in the rich culture that prioritizes people and community. In the full-ness of my own life, I sometimes forget to stop and listen.

I pray that you and I will take time from the busyness of life to hear the stories of those around us... that we would really listen to the stories that surround us - from our spouse, our children, parents, friends, co-workers, pastors, neighbors, the supermarket checker, the postal worker, etc.

Everyone has a story. Have you taken the time to hear it?