Between appointments today I had the opportunity to meet John and chat over a coffee. He told me he a few times as we spoke that he didn’t want to hold me up! He wasn’t, as I reminded myself that in this moment there was no where else I needed to be. So we lingered in the beauty of simple storytelling.

I spend a lot of time listening to the stories, hopes and dreams of others – particularly ministry partners I work with across the globe. But the fact is, too often I still rush. It’s so easy to get caught up in the cycle of busyness. And in that space, I miss out on genuinely hearing from others. It’s something I’m working on. Because I know how important listening to others is, and validating the stories of people who often aren’t heard much today, or whose story is sadly considered insignificant.

It was good to hear some of John’s story today. From his childhood days in Hobart in the 1940s, to learning the watchmaker trade, to moving north to Brisbane, to his thoughts on ageing, the place of faith in his life and his favourite footy team. I’m richer for the experience.

“Thank you for your time,” John said as we shook hands. “Lovely to chat.”

Time – it’s a precious commodity. It’s easy to run fast in our 24-7-365 world. It’s easy to stick with our to-do list, focus on our device, race to the next thing. But I’m trying to linger longer and listen more to those around me – over a coffee, in an Uber, after a meeting, at the table. Arthur Kleinman wrote: “we are a storied folk, stories are what we are”.

Everyone has a story. There’s something powerful in listening to and validating the stories of others who cross our paths. This means slowing and lingering longer. It means coming to attention. But we’re always better for the experience.