When Steven returns to a diner that was an important part of his childhood, he is confronted by an older man, named "Andy." The obnoxious Andy talks incessantly even though Steven has asked him to leave him alone. Later, we will see Andy's motive for pursuing conversation. He really gets Steven's attention when he begins revealing details that no stranger should know. Eventually he reveals to Steven that he is a friend of his father's and has been punking Steven. Steven settles down and sees the humor in their encounter. The last part of their conversation involved Andy telling Steven that God may have orchestrated their paths crossing.
Observations:
- Steven returned to a place that represented his childhood, the period of his life where his problems actually started. Revisiting old wounds is often the path of healing.
- God often sends a mentor into our life who will not leave us even though we do not respect him at first.
- Restoring a brother is a major investment, sometimes emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual (led by the Holy Spirit), restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).
- Andy (p.6) says that Steven has "...learned to memorize paths around the pain." I believe he is referring to coping strategies. There are both helpful and harmful coping strategies. We must not neglect to deal with the root issue even if helpful coping strategies make us feel better.
- Most of our emotional issues and stress come from our relationships. If we can learn the principles of developing good relationships, we can negate many of our problems.
- Andy says (p.11) that "...you’ll never discover most of what you went searching for tonight as long as you’re setting the terms." The majority of our dysfunction is self induced, so we will never see change without new insight. We must seek God's enlightenment and recognize His work to make us a new person.
Bo's Cafe Chapter 1
When Steven returns to a diner that was an important part of his childhood, he is confronted by an older man, named "Andy." The obnoxious Andy talks incessantly even though Steven has asked him to leave him alone. Later, we will see Andy's motive for pursuing conversation. He really gets Steven's attention when he begins revealing details that no stranger should know. Eventually he reveals to Steven that he is a friend of his father's and has been punking Steven. Steven settles down and sees the humor in their encounter. The last part of their conversation involved Andy telling Steven that God may have orchestrated their paths crossing.
Observations:
- Steven returned to a place that represented his childhood, the period of his life where his problems actually started. Revisiting old wounds is often the path of healing.
- God often sends a mentor into our life who will not leave us even though we do not respect him at first.
- Restoring a brother is a major investment, sometimes emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual (led by the Holy Spirit), restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).
- Andy (p.6) says that Steven has "...learned to memorize paths around the pain." I believe he is referring to coping strategies. There are both helpful and harmful coping strategies. We must not neglect to deal with the root issue even if helpful coping strategies make us feel better.
- Most of our emotional issues and stress come from our relationships. If we can learn the principles of developing good relationships, we can negate many of our problems.
- Andy says (p.11) that "...you’ll never discover most of what you went searching for tonight as long as you’re setting the terms." The majority of our dysfunction is self induced, so we will never see change without new insight. We must seek God's enlightenment and recognize His work to make us a new person.
This is a great chance to connect with God by reading a story about how God worked in the life of someone else.