There You Are!

There You Are!

It’s been said that there are two kinds of people: Here I am! people and There you are! people.

The Here I am! people are usually outgoing and fun to be around. But really they’re about calling attention to themselves and have little interest in noticing others. Those around them are an audience and little more.

The There You Are! people, however, call attention to you. They greet you like they haven’t seen you in years. They lift your spirits with their warmth and interest. It’s clear that there’s no other place they would rather be than there with you.

The first step to being present with people is admitting whether your first instinct is to notice others or—in your outgoing or even shy ways—to prefer that they notice you. Real presence is found in putting others first on your radar and reminding them that they matter.

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face.

—2 John 1:12