Eye Contact Noticed!

Klay, our oldest and sixteen-year-old New Mexican grandson, and I recently enjoyed an hour-long chat at the nearby coffee shop. He and his family were in Illinois for a few days. We treasure these occasions and are thankful that we get to see each other two or three times a year. The world stops when we are together and we can get into a serious conversation quickly about any subject!

Early Childhood Education! ðŸ˜†

This time we were in a discussion about the next steps for Klay after he graduates from high school in December. He has been taking advanced classes for years and will be finishing this stage of his education two months from his seventeenth birthday. Now, he is earnestly focused on what his bachelor's degree will look like and where he will do his studies. He wants to get on a track that takes him to seminary in the next three to four years.

It’s an exciting time for this special grand who has already been asked to preach a couple of times in his home church the last few weeks. Everyone agrees that he gives evidence of a genuine calling to ministry. Our chat covered some of the formative experiences that are yet ahead of him. Not only does he need further education, but he also needs the influence of wise mentors and of course, more ministry and life experiences to continue to shape and develop his divine design.

Christmastime: Chatting It Up!
After our chat, we got up from the corner table where we had been “holding court” for a good hour, and we headed out the door. It was then that we noticed a forty-something adult male who was following us and began to engage us just outside the door with a question to me, “Are you his grandpa?” I answered proudly, “Yes, I am! This is my grandson from out west.” He apologized for staring at us during our coffee chat (we had never noticed!). But he couldn’t get over how we both had locked our sight on each other as we were deep in discussion. The man commented how special this looked to him and then returned into the shop!

I could have said to him that we have had a special relationship since Klay was a little guy sitting on my lap in a rocking recliner sixteen years ago. We began these talks then and they only got better over time. It was funny to me that I had just posted a blog on the topic, “Who’s Watching You?” and here was a guy chasing us out the coffee shop wanting to say that he had noticed something special between us two! It only proved the point that others are watching us!

Isn’t it interesting that focused attention makes such an impression? I wonder if we are conditioned so much of the time at home, out in a restaurant, or other settings by what we observe in others? Too many times, we see two people sitting across from each other at a table, but rarely looking up and into the faces of their family members or friends because they are totally absorbed by the information on their devices or screens.

The National Institutes of Health has done research on the impact of digital distraction. They found that three-quarters of parents use their smartphones at the dinner table and that adults are just as prone to distraction because of their devices as their children are during mealtimes. Pediatricians and psychologists suggest that one way to stem the tide of this trend is to establish “screen-free zones” (like dinner time!) to make intentional space and time for engagement and conversation.

There are numerous examples of the blessing of focused attention in the Bible. Jesus taught a crowd of followers for hours during His hillside teaching and preaching of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus with rapt attention, and to the dismay and criticism of her sister, Martha. Jesus complimented her by saying, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:42).

One of my favorite post-resurrection stories is about the two disciples who encountered the risen Christ on the road home to Emmaus. After recognizing Him, they would later exclaim, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us!” (Luke 24:32). That is the blessing of giving someone our complete attention!

Next time you are with a loved one or friend, why not make an intentional attempt during your conversation to make eye contact and to give your full attention to that person. I have no doubt that both of you will be blessed by this precious and focused engagement! And who knows, someone else may be curiously watching and even admiring what you are doing, as well!

Klay's Talk: Plans Flipped!

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
©2018-2026 All rights reserved.
Serve by Design. mjkministries.com

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