Ross
and his silver-haired wife of 47 years were munching on their 7-layer
burritos, that fall afternoon. From their position they could see a
couple sailboats casually moving across the blue waters of Pine Lake
amid the sparkling diamonds of sun reflections dancing on the water.
A
car pulled into the parking lot and two teens got out. She walked
over to the swings and sat in one. She immediately began pushing
buttons on her smart phone. At the same time, the boy got out of the
car and walked directly to a picnic table without looking at the girl
at all. He had a small earphone in one ear, with the other one just
hanging free.
Neither
of the teens displayed any interest in the other, as Ross and Hope
tried not to give a nosy stare. Shortly, the girl began walking along
the sandy shore as the boy returned to the car; taking a seat on the
passenger side.
Not
long afterward, the girl walked back to a picnic table in the restful
shade of a tree whose leaves hadn't begun to display their hidden
fall colors of red, orange, and yellows. With elbows on the table and
her face in her hands; eyes covered, Ross and Hope could easily
imagine the heart-cries turning into tears of hopelessness.
The
boy walked over to the girl but remained standing, with earphone in
place. He seemed to say nothing as he appeared cold toward the
distraught girl. With hand gestures of desperation toward the boy,
communication was exchanged, certain to break anyone's heart who
longed for a real friend; someone that deeply cared.
Both
teens were clearly connected to their own technology but worlds apart
from each other, and the friendship so needed to mature through those
stressful uncertain teen years.
As
the heart-breaking events played out in front of them, the two
silver-haired spectators wrapped up their unfinished burritos, unable
to eat them all. Ross lovingly placed his hand on top of Hope's left
hand. Their heads both bowed in silent prayer for the teens in front
of them and those that God has brought into their mission field.
As
Ross and Hope prayed, their clasped hands came to rest on the car
Bible always on the seat between them. It was then the only real life
connection was made, between two hearts and Heaven's plan for every
age.
Making
the RIGHT connection, of lasting love, understanding, peace, and
purpose, rests squarely and solely on, and in, God's precious word;
His heart-to-heart communication that meets every need.
