We’ll connect to people better if we obey this exhortation …

Last night I was busy getting some work done at a Starbucks when a young man probably shy of 20 years old interrupted a couple to ask if he could use their cell phone.

After being rebuffed, he turned to me and asked if he could use my cell phone to call a friend.

Of course!

I dialed the number, switched on the speaker phone, and held my iPhone for him. I wasn’t going to hand over my iPhone to a complete stranger, but I was willing to help him make a connection.

I’ve done this on several occasions for homeless people, and I’ve often noticed people in need sitting in a coffee shop, opening a new phone and figuring out its functions so they can connect to someone. In fact, as I write this, sitting next to me is an elderly homeless woman charging her new phone.

Whether it’s a young man yearning to talk to a friend, or an old woman reaching out to someone who might care, we all have a deep-seeded hunger to connect with people who actually care about us — and to have someone to care for!

I’m reminded of the story about a dad who, after arriving home from work, melted into his favorite easy chair and hid behind the daily newspaper. All he wanted to do was unwind for a while, but as he was scanning the headlines he sensed a presence in the room. Then he heard the slightest of whispers …

“I have an oowie …”

The dad ignored what he heard, turned the page and continued scouring the headlines. Then came the voice again, a little louder this time …

“I have an oowie …”

In response, the dad just crossed his legs, again turned the pages of the newspaper, and continued to ignore the presence. This time, the voice of his five-year-old son now speaking firmly was unmisakable …

“I have an oowie!”

Intent on having his personal quiet time, the dad persisted on perusing the news. More persistent than his father, the little boy crawled onto his father’s lap, pulled the newspaper away from his dad, stuck his little finger in his father’s face and, with a pitiful expression, proclaimed emphatically, “I have an oowie!”

After a tough day at work and and languishing all-too-long in grueling traffic, the dad, seeing the tiniest of cuts of his son’s finger, became indignant and said, “That’s nothing! It’s barely a scratch! What do you think I could do for it?”

The little boy’s expression fell, and with a soft voice responded, “You could have said ‘awww.'”

Like that little boy, each of us long for someone in our lives who will say “awww” to the knicks and hurts we face in life.

We want — we need — someone who cares!

I think the Apostle Paul had a good understanding of this basic human need. And so, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he doesn’t just exhort us to get rid of the harshness that’s communicated too routinely among us, he implores us to be TENDERHEARTED toward others …

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you,” Ephesians 4:31-32.

We’ll connect with people better if we learn to put aside junk thinking, and selfish attitudes, and instead learn to have hearts that are tender toward the experiences and needs of others.

Would other people say you’re tenderhearted in how you treat others?

Scotty