Have you ever experienced one of those flashes when you instinctively knew an opportunity had just been squandered for a potential significant or transformational moment? When that happens, which is frequently for me, I sound like Swiper from Dora the Explorer (sorry Pastor Levi), with an immediate “Awh, man!” (Click here if you need to hear Swiper).

Admiring people who seize opportunities the moment they flash before them or compose a witty response with the timing precision of a stand-up comedian, these quick thinkers probably never utter an “Awh Man!” On the other hand, there is my typical modus operandi where an appropriate or even clever response only appears after ruminating for three days and the moment has long passed and been forgotten by everyone else.

With all the writing and research on Gen Z that has transpired over the last few months and how I encourage us to guide and coach emerging adults, you would think that I would be especially sensitive to a teachable moment. But I must confess, I missed this one! It was only a short time later that the Spirit opened my eyes to a blown opportunity. How many more have I missed and never even been aware of it?

Let me attempt to frame the missed moment for you. Around 8:30 a.m. a student, whom I do not visually recognize, enters my office and utters the words, “I need to drop a class.” Deeply focused in the task on my desk, my gaze rises to the person before me and I respond with, “Who are you?” He answers with a smile and politely provides his name and after a few affirmations that he is aware of his actions, the form is signed, and he is directed to the location for submitting the form.

Pondering this encounter as I return to the task before the interruption, my mind is troubled over what just transpired. There was nothing inappropriate or disrespectful about the interaction, but unsettling. Sighing, I utter, “Awh, Man!” At that instant my brain places before me an alternative scenario of the moment I just missed. A better outcome and a possible transformational moment would have unfolded differently.

Ideally, in that exact moment, I would have asked “Bailey” to indulge me for a brief illustration. Asking Bailey to swap places and stand behind the desk, I would have entered into the role of student and modeled a better approach to the entire encounter. [Knock, knock on the open door]. “Dr. Powell, my name is Bailey Jones. I’m one of your advisees and if you have a moment, may I ask for your signature so that I can drop this class?” A simple redirect to a Gen Zer who was unaware of the importance of a proper introduction and the significance of a request rather than telling me what he needed. Understanding that because he had received a communication from me the previous week, he assumed I knew who he was but as a transfer student who was assigned to me, I had not met him prior to this encounter. Missed teachable moment!

Reflecting on this missed moment asks me to consider how many other moments might I have missed? In my solitary focus to complete a task, how many cashiers, restaurant employees and even colleagues have I missed a moment to offer hospitality, to be a neighbor and love the way Jesus asks, or to just to offer a smile? In John Ortberg’s Menlo Church message entitled Love is Not Irritable, he humorously mentions the need for a timing device, like a shot clock in basketball, at the coffee shop so that the barista can quickly serve customers. How often am I irritated by the conversation and smiles occurring between a customer and cashier when I am in a hurry to pay and leave? Instead of desiring the shot clock, why don’t I smile and engage in neighborly love with those around me while I wait?  

Pondering these weighty questions leads to the conviction of choosing electronic shopping, an ATM transaction, or grocery pickup rather than seeing the opportunity to engage with others and missing moments to be a neighbor. Whether it’s an occasion to guide an emerging adult with proper social behavior, a conversation with a neighbor which illuminates a need in their life, or a chance to use a server’s name so that she feels seen and appreciated, how many missed moments have I let slip by where someone might have been introduced to Jesus?

Please feel free to share any “Awh, Man!” moments from your personal experiences or offer suggestions for how to be aware of these opportunities when God places them before us.