The Gift Of Gab

2 Corinthians 2:3b -- "I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy." [NIV]

A dark city spilled out in front of him as David reluctantly closed the door behind him and said something chipper to his dog, Tozer. It wasn't that he didn't want to walk the furry member of his family - it was more like - he was just so tired and it was so cold. All he really wanted to do was stay inside his nice cozy house and spend time with his wife and girls.

As Tozer's eager face beamed up at him, David felt the joy shine out from those soulful, dark eyes. "Let's go, boy."

The familiar busy bustling of downtown Chicago lit up the background as the pair began their nightly rounds. This was comfort. The sights and sounds of home at Christmas time and man with his best friend heating up the chilled night air as their feet rhythmically ate up the side walk - sheer blissful comfort.

Even in the comfort of the moment David wasn't going to pretend that he was not eager to get back home and that the goal for him on this night was to finish the dog's walk in good time.

On a frosty breeze David inhaled deeply, and the wonderful smell of wood smoke filled up his senses. He knew it must be his pastor and friend making good on his promised/proposed schedule - taking the cold opportunity to burn some fire wood.

Tozer's nose led the way and soon David and Pastor were having a wonderfully relaxed conversation. It was a nice gift, actually. Normally the talk would be of the boxing club that both men organized, or church needs and events. But on this cold December night - the two just stood there in perfect company - sharing - sharing hope, sharing laughter, sharing JOY.

Time slipped far way from the two men and before long David was forced to quick step catch up on the walk with his dog. But taking that time to sit and revel in friendship was well worth the late hour.

On a particularly rough day at work a while back my husband brought home a company mug that had been given to him by his boss as a gift. One side of the big round mug read: Convenience. The other side read: Make It Happen.

I thought of the mug when I eagerly listened to my baby brother share his wood smoke experience on a cold December night in Chicago - that joyful moment with his Pastor and friend. And I thought of the last part of II Corinthians 2:3. Jesus has confidence in us that we would all share his joy.

It isn't always a convenient moment that provides us an opportunity to revel in the Joy of fellowship in Jesus' name. Sometimes the moments come when we are in a hurry to walk the dog and get home - or finish up the grocery list and get back to the kitchen to start dinner - or head home from a party when you know your kids are waiting on you to get back with the family car. But the gift of friendly gab is such a precious one and means so very much to the receiver of the gift. What better way to celebrate and share the Joy of Jesus than to make a sacrifice of time in order to give it? Those joyous moments in warm company are made even sweeter and the gift doubly precious when it takes us a bit out of our way to hand it over to a person who needs it.

I think we all needs big, fat, round coffee mugs that read: Convenience - Make It Happen.