If there is anything I have learned from being on my own this past year, it is that people have a preoccupation with appearances. Many times, more than I can count, I have been surprised to see sides of people that I never knew existed. Like the stackable dolls with a gem inside or a shiny apple with a rotten core, we all have secrets--whether good or bad. Christians especially are not exempt from this. I am reminded of how God whispers-"I do not see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart." So how are our hearts? Are we real with other people about our struggles so that we can support and encourage another? Or do we feel we have to put walls around our weakness and wear smiles to hide our pain? I read a prayer that captured this on another blog which I'm borrowing here:
"Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her kids.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those that are close to us, but to all humanity. Amen"
No comments:
Post a Comment