Conversations are very different now from anything I have ever done before. Once in my work, I had answers for people. Now I have only questions. I have learned people and neighborhoods have the answers. My conversations are much more ordinary, usually about everyday things. It took me a long time to appreciate this and the value of language. Language is simple and not comprised of the professional lingo that I was once an “expert” in.

Often I have described what I do as similar to collecting baseball cards. Have you ever noticed the back of baseball cards? They are all about gifts! There are batting averages, stolen bases, and key accomplishments. And often there is something that has nothing to with baseball, but it is something that makes this person special.

In journeys through neighborhoods, I am looking for the gifts and the passions that are present.

What does Brother Al at the church care about? What is HIS baseball card information?

What is Robin passionate about?

Why does Tommy care so much about kids in his neighbourhood?

You are looking for the gifts of everyone. Often not knowing how it all fits together. But similar to the wealth of information on a baseball card, it all makes up the person and the community.

And we need everyone.

Pay attention for a week to the gifts of the people you meet.

Then as you notice gifts, find an opportunity to tell a person the gifts you are seeing.

“Tess, I have been noticing how you welcome people as they come here. It is really amazing; you make everyone feel so special, like they are checking into a 5 star hotel. You are wonderful at that.”

I have been told it is one of the most intimate things you can do: Acknowledge the person’s gifts.

It is certainly a strong building block to a relationship and connection.