A Desert

[H2O Man]

11. I hear you.

My friends and I frequently discuss the gulf that has grown between us and many of our old friends. It can be difficult to converse with them, especially if they are in a group. It is even more difficult with those you have never actually liked.

I try to keep Jesus's teaching about the "good Samaritan" in mind. If I see that someone has drove off the road and into the ditch in front of my house -- something that has happened literally each of the 31 years I've lived here -- I do not ask their party registration before helping them. I think that many people have driven into a ditch on social-political beliefs. While I can't help that many, I am aware that each one has a group of friends they interact with, so I hope it spreads.

One tactic I find useful is that, no matter how they start a conversation, I smile and ask, "Hey, do you remember the times we used to ______________? I was thinking about that yesterday. I miss doing that with you."