1-2 minute read. Audio also included for those who prefer to listen.
Talking to strangers is scary.
And so I tried it. Here’s what happened. (Watch the video to see.)
What you don’t see on camera is that I was actually terrified.
It was a rainy day, and Jeremy and I had beach plans. But instead we pivoted. I found some snorkel goggles in his car and we went around Worth Avenue - the 7th most expensive shopping street in America - to beat my fear of rejection.
The first store we went into was a big fancy yacht club. I took the goggles off within 5 seconds because I was too embarrassed.
But after talking with the workers - Alec & Marin - I got my courage up and wore the goggles proudly into Starbucks. And boom, free drinks (and better yet, new friends!)
If you’re scared of getting rejected, go talk to someone today. Odds are you’ll make them smile, and smiling is good for everyone. It helps us stop thinking on bad stuff, and God is not easily found in bad thoughts.
“But where do I start?”
If you don’t know what to say, simply pick a person, walk up to them, and tell them something nice about them. For example, “hello my friend, I like your My Little Pony shirt! Do you want to see my Pinkie Pie tattoo?” Another idea: ask them what made them smile today.
Whatever you do, create space for unusual things to happen, and see what God will do.
Jesus didn’t say that loving people had to be boring, did he?
Toby DeMoss
P.S. I went back today (2 weeks later) to show my new friends the video. They loved it :) If you want to find me on YouTube, click here :)
Shout out to Debbie, Tracy, Xavier, Rebekah, Shannon, Kylie, Diana, Adonya, Marin, and Alec! You guys rock. (People are way nicer than I thought.)
(To be clear, anything you give this week I will use to bless a stranger in a creative way so they can know God’s love up close!)
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