Reaching Out
Life is never perfect. There are many, many days of smiles, hours upon hours of laughter..but there are tears too. Sadness is part of life. If we never feel sadness, we've failed to feel for others. I want to feel for others; for those I know and those I don't. I want to feel.
There are times I've wept for people I've never met, hours I've spent on my knees praying for those close to me who are racked with sorrow. I believe it's our heart's nature to reach out to others, it's the core of the human spirit to care for others. We're the offspring of a mighty Heart, it's the very foundation of our spirit to reach out to others, to care for those who are in need, to love those who are hurting.
Many times I've witnessed the tears behind a smile, we all have. Someone we know, someone we pass on the street, someone behind a counter. It's our decision to acknowledge their need, their pain...their sorrow, or to walk away. I wonder how many opportunities we've had to ease the distress of another, regardless of how minute, and passed it by because it may have made us feel a moment of discomfort? What opportunities have we passed up, simply to spare ourselves an embarrassing moment? Many times I've been moved to ask someone if they were okay. It's not a big commitment on my end to let someone know I see their pain and that I care. Sometimes that may be all it takes. I've held the hands of strangers as they've cried; not always comfortable, but never a wasted moment. If we're not here for one another, tell me, why are we here?
I honestly feel sorry for those who never feel the pain of others. It must be such a self centered life to never cry over the suffering of someone else. Too strong to cry? Too self controlled to shed a tear for someone whose life is shattered? Jesus wept, my friends, Jesus wept. To know that kind of love for others, it's the ultimate example that Christ set before us to follow. 'He that is first shall be last, and he who is last shall be first' (Matthew 19:30). What an awesome opportunity we're given to instill even the smallest Light to others, to let them know that someone cares for them.
Please, take something away from this post with you today. Please take an extra second to make eye contact with a stranger, to notice the mood of someone next to you in line, to smile at someone as you pass them. The love He's given us, truly, is a terrible thing to waste.
One of my favorites...again, I Can Only Imagine.
There are times I've wept for people I've never met, hours I've spent on my knees praying for those close to me who are racked with sorrow. I believe it's our heart's nature to reach out to others, it's the core of the human spirit to care for others. We're the offspring of a mighty Heart, it's the very foundation of our spirit to reach out to others, to care for those who are in need, to love those who are hurting.
Many times I've witnessed the tears behind a smile, we all have. Someone we know, someone we pass on the street, someone behind a counter. It's our decision to acknowledge their need, their pain...their sorrow, or to walk away. I wonder how many opportunities we've had to ease the distress of another, regardless of how minute, and passed it by because it may have made us feel a moment of discomfort? What opportunities have we passed up, simply to spare ourselves an embarrassing moment? Many times I've been moved to ask someone if they were okay. It's not a big commitment on my end to let someone know I see their pain and that I care. Sometimes that may be all it takes. I've held the hands of strangers as they've cried; not always comfortable, but never a wasted moment. If we're not here for one another, tell me, why are we here?
I honestly feel sorry for those who never feel the pain of others. It must be such a self centered life to never cry over the suffering of someone else. Too strong to cry? Too self controlled to shed a tear for someone whose life is shattered? Jesus wept, my friends, Jesus wept. To know that kind of love for others, it's the ultimate example that Christ set before us to follow. 'He that is first shall be last, and he who is last shall be first' (Matthew 19:30). What an awesome opportunity we're given to instill even the smallest Light to others, to let them know that someone cares for them.
Please, take something away from this post with you today. Please take an extra second to make eye contact with a stranger, to notice the mood of someone next to you in line, to smile at someone as you pass them. The love He's given us, truly, is a terrible thing to waste.
One of my favorites...again, I Can Only Imagine.
posted by kathi | 9:38 PM
8 Comments:
I've been having a conversation with another blog friend about how our emotions "mature" with us. We were talking about how we are both feeling emotions more these days, as if they are right under the skin, crying over commercials, getting weepy reading about strangers plights, crying over friend's plights, etc. As much as I hate it when this happens where others can see it, I'm so glad I have compassion.
You know, there are so many others who need us to listen, to simply be with them emotionally, to understand their pain even when we can't really. Doing so makes us human, makes life real, and takes away the walls of prejudice. I think it scares some people to be close enough to feel that pain of another, so they back off and close up.
I hate my frequent weepiness. And I hope I never lose it.
Very nice post. And I love that song. :-)
I know you take the time to listen to a friend. Your actions go a long way.
lynilu ~ I get'cha.
3 c's ~ thank you, and me too!
jbt ~ my compassion is but a shadow of yours, my friend.
Excellent post!
I'm very sensitive to others, and when I notice it, even in the distance I reflect and sometimes pray.
Case in point, a family dining at a nearby table in Chick-fil-A. The younger woman was on the phone and crying uncontrollably. From what I could surmise, she was suffering a loss. The children also cried. It was heart wrenching to witness.
I have to remember to put myself in other peoples shoes on a regular basis. If I just surrender that I have no idea what is going on in their life, it takes the burden off me. All the sudden I can sympathize with the person instead of being angry. I do wish more people smiled though... I try really hard to flash a smile at everyone... always hoping I get one back. It's about 50/50. Oh well... just gonna keep smiling.
I'm still here Kathi!! Just been so busy lately that I haven't had time to post anything. Hopefully I will be able to real soon...I've got first day of school pics to put up. Thanks for checkin on me...Hugs to you!
Wow! That's one of my favourites Kathi, but I'd never seen the clip before. Ta. I thought the reason for me being weepier than in the past was simply a reflection of my age!! Thanks.
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