Subway, eat fresh? No, listen!

I once read, when you meet someone new, that you should listen to them for the first few meetings not giving much feedback and no advice so you can earn their trust.  I wish I could remember the book, when I do I'll let you know.

Yesterday I went to a Subway to pick up dinner for me and my mother in love.  I wasn't feeling particularly great and I was greeted by "Linda", we'll call her that because I didn't catch her name.  My instinct was to give a ho-hum reply, but I saluted her instead.  No, I don't go around saluting people, it's just what came out of my body involuntarily.  She smiled as I headed to the counter to order.  The following was our conversation after she asked me a few questions about ordering and realizing I was answering slowly.

Me: Sorry, I'm trying to remember her order, she didn't write it down.
Linda: Well, if you get it wrong, oh well, she should have have written it down.
Me:  She is my MIL and I need to put forth an effort. (I chuckled)
Linda: Well, I had two MIL's and ..... mumble mumble mumble (I didn't catch what she said, but it wasn't good.)
Me:  I very fortunate to have a great relationship with mine.  :)

This introduction lead into a lengthy story of how she had a terrible relationship with her MIL's one in particular.  Her story was laced with violence and profanity, but I could see hurt as well.  I thought, well God, give me an opening so I can talk about You.  Well, the opening never came.  I prayed as she talked, we exchanged goodbyes and off I went.

I felt like I had missed something, that I was supposed to say something that brought glory to God.  But I was reminded that with some people we have to LISTEN many times before our "help" will be heard and considered genuine.  Maybe this is the beginning of a relationship with "Linda", maybe, I don't know.  What I do know what that I was obedient to God when I listened and prayed.  Sometimes we aren't going to have those amazing big BAM, light shining, Holy Ghost goose bumps encounters.  Sometimes, they are quiet, still and filled with prayer.

As you encounter new people ask God for an opening and if there is none, maybe you were called to pray and listen.