She stopped me in the hall. She says, "When are you leaving?" I tell her October. She asks if I am excited. Of course, I say! I have said hi to her before, but I don't know her. She tells me in that stark hospital hallway that her little girl just started kindergarten. She is smiling that anxious sort of smile. I ask how she has done after the first week. She says it has been a bit rough, but they are adjusting. They are adjusting to the schedules, the homework, the fatigue, and on and on. Have I ever really cared about what another soul is experiencing? When I am not affected?
We talk a minute and have that dreaded conversation about home education vs. public school vs. private. I am learning to avoid it altogether. It seems to have a negative effect on compassion. She says homeschool was not an option for her. Do I really care about her and her options?
I realized then that the judgement on my lips is a viscous tool Satan uses. I sealed my mouth, asked Satan to flee from our conversation. I am being moved to be extremely conscious of what I say. It matters!
"I am the vine; you are the branches.
If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
Isn't that what Christ wants our hearts to yearn for? Caring, loving meetings that can point to Him in their own time. I encourage you today to reach out, take a risk. Meeting a need can be as simple as having a conversation that is not all about you. Chances are good that whoever you reach out to could use a friend named Jesus...
Happy Music Friday!
Song: By Your Side
Artist: Tenth Avenue North
