paul's place

We've anticipated going to Paul's place for a couple of weeks now. We really enjoy being with him. He is relational, kind and quite a deep person. Paul takes interest in people that are younger than him, maybe that's why my kids enjoy being at his place so much. He sees the good and blows on it. He influences by example, by his way others are compelled.

He is rare. Others start being more kind when he is around. Others are less critical, more thoughtful and self aware. What you see on the outside of Paul is only the tip of the iceberg. Usually what you experience with someone is only a subset of what is going on below the surface. Paul is full of really good stuff.

He can sniff out fakes quite easily. He knows and senses it, but rarely mentions it. There was this one time when he let on what he was sniffing. It wasn't pretty, but he was still very gracious.

I don't see Paul that much these days. I wish it wasn't that way, but here we are. We used to work together, but what used to be is no more. What is, is what will be.

Why is Paul the way he is? DNA, parental upbringing, sanctification, or what? And why am I so selfish and critical and harsh?

Paul leads by kindness, without any apparent need for something in return. Most people are in relationships for what they will get out of them. Not Paul. He is about what young person he can invest in. Not many selfless people like Paul around. Maybe that's why we like going to Paul's place.