Everyone always says, “Hi, how are you?”, and the other person usually answers, “Great, and you?” And both of those sentences are usually said quicker than the air that passes between the moving parties. Sometimes, each response isn’t even heard. It’s just an observation that I’ve made, and I know why it happens: we are all in a hurry. I am too. But sometimes, just to add some excitement to the day, I will answer slightly differently. When someone passes my way and they say, “Hi, how are you?” I smile and say, “Do you want the short or the long answer?” They usually laugh and feel compelled to say, “Well, the long answer, if you wish to tell me.” And because they were so thoughtful as to pick the long answer, I laugh, and give them the short answer. I tell them that I’m fine, but I bring up the fact that most of us say, “Hi, how are you?” as more of a gesture than a generous act. So, from here on out, I am making an effort to slow down when I say, “Hi how are you?” because I want to make sure that I hear the other person’s response.
HI HOW ARE YOU?
I said in passing in the hall
But I never heard what they said as
In my office, I had a call
I rushed to get the phone
(another business opportunity)
and I never even saw
that person in the hall just look at me
Off I raced as they were beginning to answer
Well, not too good lately as you can see
my arm is all in plaster
They had a broken arm
But it didn’t look all that bad
So why bother asking Time time
Is at hand
But as I begin to notice the distance
In everyone’s eyes
I stopped to ask myself
What is the reason why
Why are we all rushing Sheesh
Including me
When we look in other’s eyes
It’s distance that we see
How has this happened
What did we miss
Gone are the days of hugs
A cheek has missed another kiss
But I think yes I think
I know there must be hope
For even Jesus had an answer for those guys
Out on the boat
Cast out a little further
To the right cast your net
Just do it and you’ll see
You’ll be surprised at what you get
And as the story goes
They cast out to the right
And their net was everything but
Extremely light
But if they had kept rowing
Never hearing what Jesus had to say
Do you think they would have been fulfilled
At the end of that day
And so I am suggesting
Let us cast way out our nets
Let us listen to responses of
People we have met
Who knows what we’ll hear
Maybe the short Fine and you
But if you receive the long answer
Tell me friend what will you do
Let us close the distance
And wipe it from the eyes
And when you ask Hi how are you
I pray you hear their sweet reply
Warrior Moms,
May you be very present-centered with the people in your day because you are able to listen with your heart.
Love,
Kristina
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
John 21:6
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.
Philippians 4:10
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her website, https://kristinaseymour.com/. God loves to share His story of love and grace through us all, and Kristina believes that everyone has a story to tell.
Originally published Tuesday, 06 November 2018.
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