January 31, 2013

  • meeting people.

    We were just leaving the Prayer Meeting when the New Girl, reflecting on the Cheerful Girl she had just met, remarked bitterly,

    "I don't think she's ever had a crisis... a time when she's hit rock bottom and didn't want to go on."

    And I thought...

                              I thought about how little we know of the heart cries and deep aches of those we meet.

    -----

    "As you walk through your days you encounter people who outwardly look quite OK because they have learned to smile and not let anyone know what they really feel deep inside.

    Some are lonely, some are hurting from a recent loss or deep wounds, some wonder if anyone really cares about them because no one seems to have time to listen, some carry a depressing load of guilt and don’t know what to do with it, some feel that if you really knew them you would not love them, so they are afraid to reveal who they truly are, and even some in church don’t know if God really loves them because they have never seen God’s love among those who are supposed to be His people.

    The fragrance of Jesus is the sweet smell of compassion, gentleness, humility, a listening, caring heart, and love far beyond any other love found in humans naturally.

    This fragrance cannot be imitated, rather it comes from an intimate loving fellowship with the Lord Jesus so that His Spirit saturates your soul, and others can touch Him in you."

    J. White