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You\\u2019ve heard this before, everyone has a story. When we take the time to initiate with people to hear their story it enriches our lives. And theirs, too. Today\\u2019s episode is an example of initiating with someone and the benefits in doing so. Listen in.

My first boss

I met my wife in high school in 9th grade. We didn\\u2019t talk to each other much until our junior year when she was co-editor of our school newspaper. Things took a big leap forward when she asked me to write a humor column for the Campus Courier. So when I started writing my column, \\u201cOff the Beaten Path,\\u201d Janet became my boss. My first boss. Carol\\u2019s my boss too, but Janet\\u2019s been my boss the longest. I get them both a Boss\\u2019s Day card every October 16th.

Janet\\u2019s editorial skills and experience came into play the other day after she listened to episode 140, about thank you notes. She liked the examples I gave in that program from my own life of doing good for others to the extent people thank you for it. She said

\\u201cIf you\\u2019re going to tell people what to do in their relationships you have to be doing the same thing yourself.\\u201d

I couldn\\u2019t agree with her more. I knew I had to do something related to episode 141 about the relational resolution I suggested for this year: initiate with people. Since I\\u2019m recommending this to others I need to do it myself.

Practice what I\\u2019m preaching

So I decided to initiate with one of our previous podcast guests, Josephine, a missionary serving in Eastern Europe. Her real name isn\\u2019t Josephine, but for security reasons in her part of the world, I\\u2019m calling her that. And also because \\u201cJosephine\\u201d was the name of my grandmother who was born in Eastern Europe and emigrated to the US when she was 18.

As you listen in to my Zoom conversation with Josephine, see what ideas you can pick up for having a similar conversation with someone that YOU initiate with. Our conversation begins at about the 3:10:00 mark with me reminding Josephine of the last time we talked. Listen in.

[I\\u2019m sorry, there is no transcript available. Please listen to the podcast]

At about 6:32 into the interview

I want to stop her for a moment. What Josephine said about where she feels most comfortable often comes as a surprise to people here in the States who have limited exposure to missionaries. Another missionary once told me he feels like a fish out of water when he comes back to the US from Southeast Asia where he serves. We often assume missionaries can\\u2019t wait to get to America because of all the creature comforts we enjoy here. It\\u2019s often not like that, as Josephine points out.

Back to our conversation at about 7:12 into the interview

I\\u2019ve got to interject here for a moment. Isn\\u2019t this a great example of the benefits of initiating with people? Expressing her gratitude to 3 older adults for the positive impact they had on her life. She intentionally wanted to spread a little joy in the lives of her former teachers. What a kind and caring gesture on Josephine\\u2019s part. And notice that she said, \\u201cit was a huge gift for me, and for them, too.\\u201d That\\u2019s the way it often is when we initiate with people. It does become a huge benefit to us.

\\xa0Our conversation resumes near the 11:34 mark

Asking someone how they came to be whatever they are doing now is one way to initiate with people. It\\u2019s something you can start asking people you want to go deeper with in your relationship. More often than not people will have an interesting story to tell. And many times their story will have God\\u2019s fingerprints all over their story. So give it a try, ask someone what led them to do what they\\u2019re doing now. It will encourage the person you\\u2019re talking to, and you could very well be encouraged yourself.

I pick up with Josephine at about 16:34

What great answers to my questions about how she became a Christian, and then how she was led into missions serving in Eastern Europe. Don\\u2019t you just love her honesty and seeing how God directed her? For me, I hear joy coming through in Josephine\\u2019s answers.

I\\u2019m going to save her answer to the last questions I asked about the people of Eastern Europe for next week\\u2019s episode. The story she shares about her home assignment is quite interesting in its contrast to the values of the people she lives with overseas. It sure got me thinking, and it will do the same for you when you listen to part 2 next week.

So what does all this mean for YOU?

Do yourself a favor and initiate with people. Start with one person. It will get your mind off whatever you\\u2019re dealing with as you hear people\\u2019s stories and how God is leading them.

Here\\u2019s the main takeaway I hope you remember from today\\u2019s episode

When we initiate with people to learn their story and how God is leading them, it opens us to possibilities we may not have considered before. It opens us up to see the love of God in caring for people and meeting their needs. And when we do that it strengthens our faith, for what God does for others, he certainly can do for us.

I\\u2019d love to hear any thoughts you have about today\\u2019s episode. You can leave them in \\u201cLeave a Comment\\u201d box at the bottom of the show notes.

Closing

In closing, I hope your thinking was stimulated by today\\u2019s show, to both reflect and to act by initiating with someone. You make the first contact and see what happens. And let me know how that goes for you.

For when you initiate with people there\\u2019s a good chance you will find the joy God intends for you through your relationships. You Were Made for This, you know.

Well, that\\u2019s all for today. I can\\u2019t wait to share with you again next week when we will hear part 2 of Josephine\\u2019s story. Take care, and spread a little joy this week.

Related episodes you may want to listen to

083: The Best Christmas - Be with People in Community
139: Why should I listen to this podcast?

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You Were Made for This is sponsored by Caring for Others, a missionary care ministry. We depend upon the generosity of people like you to pay our bills.\\xa0 If you\'d like to support what we do with a secure tax-deductible donation, please click here. Thank you.