Naturally, I lean toward solitude. I value quiet, reflective time, especially because my days and weeks are long with leading, thinking, and giving. So when my wife and her longtime friend wanted to grab dinner at Guapo’s in DC, my first instinct was to walk her there, pop on my headphones, and go enjoy a little time alone.
But something nudged me, maybe the intense rain, maybe not wanting to send the wrong message, maybe growth—and instead of peeling off, I stayed. And I’m glad I did.
What I expected to be “girl talk” turned into a rich, enjoyable evening of memories, laughter, and genuine connection. I witnessed the bond they’ve shared over the years and got to sit in the good energy of their friendship.
It reminded me that sometimes the best moments happen when we step outside our comfort zone and resist the urge to retreat. I’m grateful for presence over preference.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4 (ESV)