Presence

As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far away country. 
                                                                                        -Proverbs 25:25

Hellos require presence.  It is not merely a showing up but a being present in the moment at hand. Recently, our family had the rare pleasure of enjoying a soccer game together.  The Colorado Rapids versus the Montreal Impact was a game we were anticipating for at least two months.  On any occasion I would welcome the chance to route for my home team but this time, that, would have to wait.  The Montreal Impact are also apart of Major League Soccer.  I was watching a documentary piece about the change that came to their team earlier this year.  His name is Diedier Drogba.  A 37 year old soccer veteran who was Chelsea league's major weapon for many years is now on North American soil.  The deal was sealed earlier this year.

I knew nothing about Drogba until I married an Ivorian.  I remember my husband would talk about him constantly.  Not just the typical convo about his technique in football, (I'm sorry, it IS the real title of the sport.) but a major list of his accomplishments from uniting the country of Cote d'Ivoire to building five hospitals there.  With one foot step onto the field the Ivory Coast scored twice in the 2014 World Cup.  The teams' confidence level rose to the occasion to try again.  I had the chance to witness this same dynamism this past Saturday.  He had a free kick and punched it into the goal the 15 minutes into the first half. There was no other score for the day but an energy that remained in the stadium.  After the game, a group of Ivorians and fellow Americans clustered to the bottom of their section waving and cheering this amazing man. Some wore the colors of their home country; others waved the Ivorian flag, still others wanted their soccer balls signed.  He walked over, waved, hopped the fence, and climbed to where they were.  He shook many hands and took pictures, and returned to the locker room without his jersey.  He had given it to a fan.

My husband, and kiddos were absolutely beaming.  My youngest son who had played that day still dressed in his uniform informed me that it had been the best day ever.  I couldn't help thinking about the impact of a simple kind word or gesture...five letters in lower case...h-e-l-l-o.  Your hello carries presence.  It can cause a squashed soul to feel uplifted.  It can turn away an angry word,  It can cause a change wherever you go.  Hello Monday!  Have a wonderful day!