Eyeball to Eyeball
Don’t any of us look at each other anymore? I thought of that while ambling through the local mall the other night. With all the eyes coming at you, somewhere there is a pair of blue eyes that would accidentally meet yours. If I see a prospective Miss America heading in my direction, I admit I focus. Would she reciprocate? Oh, no! She rivets her gaze five-and-a-half inches above my hairline and walks by. Now, I can understand that. Evidently, I am somewhat of a threat to her. She has to be thinking, “Why’s this ‘dirty old man’ eyeing me up and down?”
Of course, there are times when you wish people wouldn’t spot you. Another time in a mall, I rested my bones on a bench in a lounge area. Few were seated at the time. Plenty of room to be private. Out of nowhere came an elderly (older than I am) man who saw me and headed straight for the seat next to me. I sensed he wasn’t interested in resting. He wanted to talk. So much for my reflections. Right off, he proceeded to tell me about a venture back to his native Alabama, looking for his childhood home. About the only thing left was the house; everything else had completely slipped into the past. He talked about his experiences as a Deputy Sheriff and got onto religion. I didn’t tell him I was a minister, which made our conversation lively and real. We were just two human beings from different worlds, who found an oasis together in which to share and to laugh. He thanked me for listening. I’m glad now that our eyes met.
This past summer I ventured into a local church for worship. A young minister was the new pastor. Following the service, I intended to shake hands with him. I was second in line but got impatient when he kept talking to a gentleman for longer than seemed necessary. But I noticed how intently the pastor’s eyes focused on that man, listening to what he had to say. It was an eternity to me, but eternal life to him. I didn’t stay, but I was impressed by the young pastor’s communication of presence. Too often the church is in such a hurry that it doesn’t have time for people, doesn’t see them. Too many of us have felt the twinge of being ignored when a pastor extended a handshake to us while looking at someone else more important. Everyone of us ought to have a moment, however brief, in someone’s eyes!