I am discovering that I have very little tolerance for small talk… At the present time, I have a close friend who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. I have several members of my own family dealing with significant life transitions. I often think of my friends, Benny and Niki Nowell, as they minister to homeless children and teenagers in Colorado. They were thrilled this week to receive a contribution from a church that will fund gift cards to purchase meals and other basic necessities for kids living on the streets, and dealing with addictions of all kinds. I witnessed the mother of an Abilene police officer killed in the line of duty in 2007 tearfully receive a plaque in her son’s memory at an annual law enforcement memorial service recently. Last week I had lunch with a gentleman who lost his beautiful 16 year old daughter in a car crash a little over a year ago. So…I have little tolerance for small talk.

Conversations that tear down instead of building up drain me of the energy I desperately need to serve others. Petty and unhelpful discussions seem empty. Foolish talk and coarse joking really are sinful. People who have something to say recharge my batteries. Two weeks ago after the second morning service a gentleman approached me and said: “You did a good job and I want you to know that I love you.” I appreciated the affirmation regarding the sermon, but an open expression of genuine love from a man in his 60’s was more meaningful than I can say.

There are individuals around us dealing with major life issues. There are no doubt people close to us feeling a sense of despair and hopelessness. I pray that what I say will build others up, according to their needs. (Ephesians 4:29). I so desire to fill people’s emotional tanks, and not be a drain. In fact, I think I will tell someone close me how much I love them today, because am discovering that I have very little tolerance for small talk…