Monday, August 23, 2010

#11: ministering to the lonely

At Ouachita, we have compassion for the lonely. Thus, we make it our mission to reach out to those who are feeling friendless in our midst. It is easy to spot the lonely, and here are some tell-tale signs:

breakfasting by himself:
Considering that the average Ouachitonian leaps out of bed each morning with a cry of "Good morning, sun! Oh, how I can't wait to build community today," seeing someone sitting by himself at breakfast is a red flag for friendlessness. Please don't hesitate to slap down your tray of cereal and eggs down by his and ask him all about his life. In fact, if you spot someone sitting by himself at any meal, please walk over with a voice full of pity and loudly ask if him if he wouldn't rather pull up a chair and squeeze into your table full of people he's never met before. Don't be mislead by those textbooks and studious air with which he's dining, it is merely a cry for help.

walking a dog:
If you're intuitive like me, you'll have realized the truth that "man's best friend" is really just a cover up for "man has no friends." Please befriend that dog-walker and save him all those trips to the Arkadelphia Animal Shelter.

sitting by herself at Refuge:
This is one of the clearest signs. That contemplative spirit she's sporting does not signify meditative, quiet time with Lord but instead, the brokenness of loneliness. Please intervene, and intervene quickly. If you can bring 10 of your closest friends over to where she's sitting, that is even better. Be sure to include, "Are you ok? You can tell me. No really, what's wrong?" And make sure you kidnap her for a little post-Refuge Waffle House time. Nothing builds community like truckers, florescent lights, and eating greasy food at weird hours.

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