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Hectic Morning or an Opportunity?

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By Maurice Stutzman, MD

September 24, 2014

   As I stepped out of the elevator, I noticed a din of conversation. Heading toward the breakfast area, it got louder and louder. Turning the corner, I discovered the source. In front of me was a group of older ladies, sitting at breakfast tables with their luggage parked on the floor. A bus was pulled up just outside the main doors waiting for them to board. Although they had finished eating, they continued to visit and occupy most of the available table and floor space. There was nowhere for me to sit. With all the luggage, repositioned chairs and lively conversations, it was almost impossible for me to navigate to the breakfast buffet.

    I paused and asked myself, “Was it worth it?” I had got in late the night before, was up early and was tired. A full day was awaiting me. All I wanted was some peace and quiet. Not only would I have to maneuver to the buffet, I would have to then navigate with a floppy plate of food and find somewhere else to sit. Then I spied a small table in the far corner of the room. Hopefully I could get there with my breakfast and orange juice before some of my competition. So I hurried and got to the open table in plenty of time, squeezed in behind the table facing the open room and started to munch down on my sausage. I tried to tune out the shifting noise of the nearby conversation and put on my bored look. Hopefully my demeanor would keep everyone away until I was finished eating.

    No sooner had I taken my first bite that I looked up to see an older couple edging my direction. My “solitude” was now at risk. The lady stood facing me, holding a plate and a full glass of juice, and asked if they could join me for breakfast. Being the friendly person that I was that morning, I said, “Of course, please sit.” It took them a bit to get settled, so I asked them the burning question of the morning, whether they were part the raucous tour group and when they would be leaving. She answered no, she was not part of the tour group, and did not know when they would leave, using an accent that I did not recognize. That intrigued me, so I asked where they were from. “Wales, England,” they replied.

    Over the course of the next 30 minutes, I learned: They don’t personally know the Prince of Wales. Their local tourist season is over the Christmas holidays. It’s not that difficult to drive on the wrong side of the road. America is not just New York, Florida, or California. Route 66 is a great summer trip. They had just toured the Shenandoah Valley, visited a cavern, and drove the skyline drive. In the next two weeks they will visit Williamsburg, go to Kitty Hawk, and then travel to Charleston, South Carolina. They want to see what our east coast beaches look like and visit the Wright Brothers museum. He plans the trips; she just rides along and is ultimately the trip navigator.

    We had good conversation that made our time together a good one. Breakfast had lasted longer than I had expected. By the time they picked up to leave, my sausage was cold, the scrambled eggs were rubbery, and the pulp in my orange juice had all settled to the bottom of the glass.

    Later I thought about how lucky I had been. I found an open table, eventually ate a free (but cold) breakfast, and got to meet and have great conversation with a couple that had a different perspective. The word opportunity came to mind as I reflected on that morning. It could easily have been missed if I had decided to eat elsewhere, or they had not decided to ask to sit at my table.

    Often I avoid sitting with or talking to someone new. It is easy to sit with familiar people and ignore those I do not know or feel uncomfortable around. Perhaps I would do better if I strove more for the unfamiliar or the uncomfortable. I might be missing an opportunity to know a person, or to establish a new relationship. This could be the only opportunity that I will have to get to know a new person. I have to remind myself that my familiars will be there tomorrow or the next week or the week thereafter. The new and unfamiliar may not. An opportunity could be lost. I could miss an opportunity to learn, help, counsel, listen, or even (gulp) share the gospel.

Matt 25:40

40 Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me — you did it to me.'

   Let’s make the most of every opportunity. Any time we are in an assembly, we should look for opportunity rather than familiarity. Strive to sit down with the new, converse with the tourist, visit the isolated, and let go of the familiar. By doing so you will be blessed.

   Oh by the way, according to the couple I met, the blarney stone is just a ruse to get your money.

This reflection was written by Dr. Maurice Stutzman, Board Certified Family Practitioner at the Trinity Medical Group’s Dover office.

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