More On Loneliness...

"Yes they're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone."
Piano Man - Billy Joel

Yesterday evening I was planning on meeting Jen and Suz at a local micro-brewery, Aiken Brewing Company. They were performing some building renovations and the kitchen was closed. The bar however was open and since I was already there and didn't need to meet on the other side of town for another hour, I decided to get a cold, fresh, home brewed beer.

I sat at the bar, asked for a Thoroughbred Red, and relaxed.

Then it hit me. It had been YEARS since I have been at a bar, by myself, sitting with others who were at a bar.

After a few minutes I started a conversation with the bartender about the Mug Club and that initiated a conversation with the fellow on my right. He left after a few minutes and I then had some conversation with the two guys to my left.

We talked about Northerners (all of us were transplants), pizza, hoagies (subs), sports, heat, beer, and whatever. After about 45 minutes I needed to leave. I said my thanks, goodbyes and drove off to the other side of town.

On the drive a few things occurred to me:

1. The guys were regulars. They had spent many hours and evenings at the bar. They were familiar with all that was going on and knew others who were also regulars.
2. I realized that in all of the conversation which we had just participated in, not one of the guys whom I spoke with looked me in the eye. All of the eye contact was "out there" somewhere. There was a distance. There was a separation. There was a detachment. I get that as it related to me since I was the new guy on the block. BUT they didn't even look EACH OTHER in the eye.

That disturbed and saddened me. We all need that connection with someone. "The eyes are the window to the soul." There is something very satisfying to engage with another person and have a eye-to-eye conversation.

How about today you and I look someone in the eyes. Affirm them with a look and a smile. Let the life and love that is in you touch another and let it lift their hearts and spirits.

I think that's what had to make such a difference in the life and experience of Jesus. When he looked into your eyes you were affirmed and accepted. He did not come to condemn people but to love and rescue them...from loneliness, among other things.

WH