I’ll go quick …

Jake (not his real name) is about 40 years old, but his developmental disabilities have left him with the mind of a child.

Jake is kind, friendly, and capable. He works at a grocery store doing mostly menial tasks, and lives by himself in a simple apartment.

He often comes into the Starbucks I use as a quasi office and when he does he likes to talk with me about his favorite sports teams.

I make time for Jake, not only because he’s as precious in God’s sight as any other human being, but also because so few people will engage him for very long.

Even though Jake is friendly, and kind, and exceptionally well-mannered, he’s lonely. While some people are particularly kind to him because of his developmental disability, others interact at arms length, scurrying away from him as quickly as possible.

That’s why Jake has started using a new communication technique when he tries to initiate a conversation. When hoping to talk with someone, he starts by saying this:

“I’ll go quick.”

He’s added those three words because so many people won’t make time for him, so he hopes to convey the idea he won’t take much of your time if only you’ll listen/talk with him for a moment.

“I’ll go quick!”

It almost breaks my heart to hear Jake say that; I want to reassure him he doesn’t have to hurry. Yes, most of the time he comes over to talk when I’m busy and it’s an interruption to work. But expressing genuine interest in him, and kindness toward him, is more important than the “lost” couple of minutes or the interruption to flow of work.

People don’t want to take time for Jake because they’re uncomfortable that he has a developmental disability. That’s their excuse for Jake. But what’s our excuse for all the other people who long to connect with us and may almost feel compelled to say, “I’ll go quick”?

Do your kids sometimes feel like they need to say to you, “I’ll go quick”?

Or your spouse?

Or your friends?

Or God?

Scotty