Shine - by @Lori_Kennedy

 

Photo By Amelia Grace Photography

Shine 

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:15b-16a (NIV)

We, as Christians, are called to shine the light of Jesus wherever we go.  I had a friend tell me just the other day that we are atmosphere changers inviting the presence of the Holy Spirit in whatever places our physical bodies inhabit.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t always feel like I shine.  I sometimes feel like there is a cloudy film that just envelops me and holds me back from shining the way God has truly called me to shine.  When I take a deeper look at that shroud of shame that covers me at times, I begin to see some things I would like to share with you.

I find that that I shine brighter when I do three things:

1.       RECOGNIZE

The first step is to recognize what’s holding you back from shining.  In many cases this may be your childhood wounds and fears.  Feelings of inadequacy or fear of rejection may hold you back.  You may possibly need to forgive someone for something that they have done to you.  Anytime you make decisions, you are filtering them through something.  Is that something that your decisions are being made through a filter of shame and surrounded by feelings of unworthiness or is that filter the filter of prayer, love and the truth of God’s Holy Word?      

2.      REPLACE

Once you recognize what is stealing your light, then you must replace those lies (from your wounds and fears) with truth.  So you ask how do you do that?  Romans 12:2b (NIV) says to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”.  The way to remind your mind is put scripture in place of the lie.  For example, if you are feeling like you aren’t good enough, then read Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

3.      REPRESENT

The final step is to represent God’s glory to the world.  Those that shine brightest have allowed Him to use those broken places to shine through.  In Genesis 50:20 (NIV), Joseph says to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Shine for Jesus!

 

 

 

 

Grace is Enough... By Cheryl Laurenza

 

Free Images

 

What a time of year this is? !  It's a great time to reflect on Luke 2, the ultimate gift to humanity. God stepping down from his throne to "pitch his tent among us."  So often we look at the wise men, gifts, giving, family, friends etc. These are all blessings and perfectly ok to celebrate. Let's not forget that the baby in the manger is God's love for humanity expressed through a helpless, powerless child whose destiny was Calvary. Talk about grace, knowing that most would either reject or deny him, some mock him, others would be so angered by his truth that they'd seek to kill him or to shut him up thereby hopefully putting an end to the message. Today we are still the same though aren't we? Some mocking, rejecting, denying, living in rebellion...But wait, what's Gods response again to those who do the above? Grace. Can we who profess to follow him show the same to them?  Remember at one time you and I were in those ranks as well. Seek how you can be BOTH grace and truth this season and always, without a relationship with him, how are we to expect anything different from folks? Be Jesus to others if you have  his spirit alive in you. Earn the right to speak into another's life, don't stand in a remote, pious judgement. 

So much has been swirling around Phil Robertson this month from Duck Dynasty. I'm not going to debate this here today. I would remind you that there is a standard, and we are to uphold it in our lives, be an example to others, yet there is more to it. There is a Savior who longs to show his grace and love not because we do or don't do something, but because of what he has done and can do in the lives of those who accept him. Again, we are saved by grace through faith, not because of what we do...that comes as we open our lives up to the only one who has the right to judge, He will direct and guide our path into all truth.  

Focus on him, let his grace and truth flow through you and remember he came as a baby not as a warrior, not as a dictator or task master. Love God, love others, then when tough topics and situations arise, people know your heart even when you speak a hard truth to them. They may still reject the truth, but recognize that's a spiritual battle friend and be on your knees for them. 

Merry Christmas dear sisters, may grace and love abound in you.

 

Cheryl Laurenza, MA, LPC, NCC

CPCS, ACS

The Refuge Counseling Center, LLC

3211 South Cherokee Lane

Suite 640

Woodstock, GA 30188

P: 678 693 2281

F: 888 971 3910

Cheryl@refugecounselingcenter.org

 

 

"The Wink! Eves' Rip Off - Part 1" by Debra Courtney

“What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?” Psalm 8:4 AMP

I am amazed at the extent and tenacity of how badly the enemy wants to violate and destroy especially the female gender.  He has been planning and plotting our destruction sense the day we were born.  He has watched our every move, mood, and conversation with wanton eyes and straining ears.  

He has great passion and unlimited perseverance to each detail of mine and your life, so that he knows what buttons to push, buttons of anger, desire, betrayal, lies, contempt, and deception.  Satan lusts after us.  He uses others to fulfill his plans to deceive us and trap us to exploit us. 

Desire can be a tool used in the form of manipulation.  The power of suggestion is a very powerful manipulative force.  Suggestion has so many faces, such as desire, jealousy, and envy. 

I grew up seeing a woman trying to complete her husband.  A lot of us think that we need men to complete us; they cannot and never will.  Only God can complete us. 

God saw that Adam was incomplete.  He needed a help mate.  Woman was created to complete man’s purpose, not to complete his person.  Adam was already created as far as a man could be created.  When God finished forming the dust of the earth to form Adam, the creation of Adam was complete.  God was done with Adam.   

However, there is a special enmity, a special conflict between the woman and the enemy.  There is a special warfare.  The enemy is especially attracted to woman.  Every soul birthed comes through us.  We birth the very thing that is to bring Glory to God, and the enemy wants it with every fiber of his being.  He knows that we were designed to bring forth humanity that is God's special creation of all creation.  

If we understand how very, very important this is to God, then we especially need to be on guard against the enemies seeking whom he may desire.  Yes, it is man who plants the seed, but it is the woman who is designed to bring forth the seed, the baby, the human soul to praise and glorify God.  As we grow older through adolescence and teen years, the enemy cleverly watches us, being so “nosey” in everything we do and say. 

Discern your words.  They are a powerful force that calls forth your future!  Whether you know it or not, you are calling things that are not as though they were.  

Our eternal enemy patiently stalks us.  He is very patient.  We have to learn how to outlast the enemy.  How we do that is to be more patient than he is.  At the right time, he can subtly sabotage us to meet his vision instead of God's vision.  If we allow him to do that, we have a great problem. 

Jesus talked about the cares of this world in Matthew 13:22 says, “As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit."

Be a good fruit bearer!  Watch out for the wink!

Commotions In Motion

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

“COMMOTIONS IN MOTION” 

By Debra Courtney

There are what I like to call “Commotions in Motion” that you will encounter at some point in your journey through life.  The "commotions" sent by God, the "commotions" that bad decisions create, and the "commotions" our eternal enemy will send.  Each “commotion in motion” is navigated differently.

Commotions in Motion That God Sends

The commotions in motion God sends are severe, but they are designed to get us on over to the other side more liberated and living in abundance than we ever would have been if we avoided going to “whale university” and played it safe.  God sent a commotion to bring Jonah out of resistance and into God's perfect will – to Nineveh you go – the very place Jonah hated.  Even when Jonah does it right, he does it wrong; however, the whole time God is working within and around Jonah and accomplishing His purpose in him.  Most of us need a biblical friend or two like Jonah!

"But Jonah go up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God…”  Jonah 1:3

“Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah…”  Jonah 1:17

“Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish…”  Jonah 2:1

Do we love anything more than God?  Many a commotion is sent to break a hidden attachment from your life.  It may be the fear of not knowing, a childhood trauma, a person, or influence that does not belong in your life.  Are we seeking something more than what pleases the Lord?  Jonah made his own agenda greater than God’s.  He was delivered when he surrendered his will, and the entire time he was in distress, the fish was taking him to his destiny!

Commotion in Motion Made by Bad Decisions

This commotion in motion may be choices we made or choices that others made that affected you directly or indirectly.  Paul nearly drowned in a decision made by others to sail to Rome, when they should have stayed in the harbor.  There are many Christians who are frustrated with the choices world leaders in government have made, because they know the end result will be the loss of cargo (economic) and the very ship of state (shipwreck).

”Paul warned, 'I see only disaster ahead for cargo and ship – to say nothing of our lives! – if we put out to sea now.'”  Acts 27: 10

“The centurion set Paul’s warning aside and let the ship captain and the shipowner talk him into trying for the next harbor.”  Acts: 27: 12

“Last night, God’s angel stood at my side, an angel of this God I serve, saying to me, ‘Don’t give up, Paul.  You’re going to stand before Caesar yet – and everyone sailing with you is also going to make it.’  So, dear Friends, take heart… but we’re going to shipwreck on some island or other.”  Acts: 27 26

Adding new territory that wasn’t even in the original plan, God will overrule bad decisions to bring forth wisdom and get us where we need to be.  The commotions you create become a commotion God is in, once you let Him take over your ship.

Commotion in Motion Made by Attacks from our Eternal Enemy

The commotion in motion may be attacks that our eternal enemy sends, which are designed to stop us, overthrow us, and destroy God’s purpose for our life.  When Jesus was with the disciples a great “commotion in motion” arose that threatened their lives.

Jesus reprimanded them.  “Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?”  Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down:  “Silence!”  Matt. 8:26

All things under the curse, such as sickness, financial attacks, and thefts, are not from God.

“When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake…”  Matt. 8:18

His Word was sufficient to give them leverage over life and death.  Find the “WORD” God is giving us in our situations and challenges, and speak to the situation!  Jesus talked to the wind and waves.  He talked to trees that did not produce.  He talked to spirits invisible to the human eye.  Thoughts are “things” when they take on the power of fear.  Speak what God says, and watch heaven back up our words.  Jesus said He did what His Father did and spoke what His father spoke.

God is in control of our commotions in motion"!  The Holy Spirit knows the way through every commotion in motion, and He is on the inside of you.  All 3 commotions in motion are common to us.

Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails (Official Lyric Video) from newsboys on GodTube.

Super Heroes ~ A Guest post from @Truefaced 's John Lynch

Photo property of Open Door Fellowship, Phoenix, AZ

Super Heroes 

by John Lynch 

I have donned the cape of Middle Aged Man for the last time. Last Sunday ended my run with the “Lesser Known Super Heroes”. I will no longer fight crime next to Poultry Man, Accordion Man and Sopapilla Woman. It’s not likely I’ll be that missed. I think this crime-fighting band has come out of the shadows of secrecy only five times over the last ten years, and that was only to publicize church picnics.

None of them really have any “super powers”, although Sopapilla Woman, wearing a protective oven mitt, does throw really hot cinnamon and sugar encrusted sopapillas at criminals with pretty uncanny accuracy.

I didn’t really want this to end; but, a friend, after our most recent performance mentioned that 55 is pushing the boundaries of middle age. I realized in that moment that my season in the sun was over and that someone younger would need to take my place.

I’ve been thinking about why we’ve done this bit all these years. It gets more embarrassing each time, as the tiny super hero tee-shirts reveal more and more…well middle-agedness. We frighten both newcomers and children alike.

But I have come to understand we never existed just to publicize picnics but maybe to promote a way of life with each other. We are each leaders in our church. And so we are teaching a whole bunch of convictions every time we stumble out in front of our family. Here are just three of probably six-hundred-some:

*Dignity does not come from dressing up in formal clothing.  We look silly and undignified. But we were never supposed to pretend to be any different than the people we serve. There is no clergy-laity separation in our convictions. Over the years I have discovered that I have received incredible respect, dignity, honor, permission and trust, mostly by never pretending I was someone above or apart from them. Influence is never achieved by a title or position, but only through being authentic, faithful and genuine enough to be trusted. Any time we can take off the robe of religious superiority with our own vulnerability, self-directed humor, and commonness, people flock to open their hearts and give permission.

*Church can be the most winsomely fun and enjoyable place in town. We are convinced God absolutely delights in laughter and playful joy. Joy has to be given expression. I really believe God probably gathers His angels around on occasion and says, “You gotta watch this. These guys are funny.” Reverence is not a pious voice or a solemnly quiet room. Reverence is when God is lifted up in all of who He is. We can teach a false and stupid dichotomy. We laugh and enjoy all week long and then we come to church and suddenly we can stage something melodramatically serious, piously trite or manipulatively condemning. It really is possible for there to be tears, repentance, communion, worship…andraucous laughter in the same morning. It’s all who God has made us to be. Cool God.

*An environment of health and grace celebrates. As I looked out at my friends last Sunday, it was so beautiful. We are all hurting, grieving over something. We’re afraid and concerned about twenty things. But for five minutes a family got to celebrate that love wins, that grace wins, that Jesus wins. That His life in us transcends and trumps the cynicism and despair of our culture. Everyone in that audience last Sunday was hooting and hollering and laughing in joy, shouting to us spontaneous blurts of mock offense. Even the most pious, stoic newcomer was compelled to smile, and drink in the infectious joy. The moment wonderfully models and teaches an environment of grace. Such who come under its delight, learn to no longer live a double life: one of pretend moral togetherness on Sunday and mortal inconsistencies and guilt the rest of the week.

I donned the cape for the last time Sunday. But I pray that, like the Dread Pirate Roberts of Princess Bride, anotherMiddle Aged Man is waiting in the wings. I pray that one Sunday morning, a few years from now, sitting in the audience, I will be surprised by the sudden loudness of the theme from Batman as the Super Heroes emerge from the crowd and another Middle Aged Man begins delivering lines. That’s when I’ll know my work here is done.

John Lynch

As a great communicator and writer, John Lynch is a vital staff member of the Truefaced team and co-writer of The Cure and TrueFaced the book. In addition to speaking nationally with the Truefaced team since 1997, John has co-authored a number of books and resources with Truefaced, including the bestseller The Cure and the popular TrueFaced Two Roads audio-video message.

John served for 27 years as teaching pastor at Open Door Fellowship in Phoenix, Arizona, a position that he held since 1985. He recently stepped out of that role to begin working full time at Truefaced. The authenticity, longevity, and playfulness of these two flawed communities, Open Door and the Truefaced group, brings real-world reality and potency to this Truefaced message.

John used his love for writing and performing as the co-founder and playwright for Sharkey Productions, a theater troupe focused on Gospel-anchored theater productions for those still seeking Jesus. John and his wife Stacey are passionate parents to their three children Caleb, Amy and Carly. They are grandparents to Maci and Payton.

***

Originally posted on www.TrueFaced.com Nov. 9, 2008. Used with permission. Original post can be found here.

Something Stinks In There - A Guest Post by @SusanCNorris

Photo by Susan Norris

Something Stinks In There

By Susan Norris 

Do you have a sensitive nose? I do. I can smell when something’s off quickly. I opened the pantry and knew there was a problem.  The smell was of something rotting. Now I normally go right to where I keep the potatoes or onions, because they are the only produce in the pantry and I can usually solve the problem quickly, but the potatoes and onions I found in the baskets were fresh.  The smell was still there. Could it be in the trash? After taking the trash out, wiping the trashcan down and putting in a new trash bag, I knew it wasn’t the trash stinking up the pantry.  Through some investigation, I found it . . . a runaway sweet potato that had rolled to the back of the pantry, hidden behind other things. It was squishy to the touch (yuck), but once it was removed and disposed of, the stench in the pantry evaporated. 

We can be like the pantry. We can go through life with something hidden, we haven’t dealt with, we haven’t been able or willing to remove, and if left long enough it begins to stink.  It will impact every facet of our lives, whether we realize it or not.  It could be a sin we’ve committed or something that was done to us that wounded us badly.  Either way, if it isn’t removed, it will contaminate everything else in our lives.  We can only keep it hidden so long.  If we don’t discover it, the stench will make its presence known. 

Yesterday, I had the privilege of assisting a brave young lady take the first step in cleaning out her pantry of life.  She is a victim of human sex trafficking. Not only did she have many vile things happen to her, she was forced to do things she wouldn’t have chosen to do on her own.  The fact that she did them has covered her in shame and humiliation long enough.  She chose to trust the One who has pursued her with a pure love to help her find the rotting things that need to be removed from her life [Jeremiah 31:3] .   

Nothing is hidden from God [Hebrews 4:13]. Just as He told Jeremiah He would uncover Esau’s hiding place and remove him, He will uncover the hidden things in my young friend’s life and remove them as far as the east is from the west [Jeremiah 49:10, Psalm 103:12]. He is for her, and He is for us too [Romans 8:31-39]. He loves her and will gently help her find her way, warring for her when necessary, to bring her into complete freedom.  She may have entered a treatment center as a victim, but if she will allow the Lord to do the necessary work in her life, she will emerge a survivor!  Jesus will make sure of it.  He will do the same for anyone who will call upon His name [Psalm 50:15. Psalm 91:15, Jeremiah 29:12]. 

Photo by Susan Norris

What does your pantry of life smell like?  Is there something rotting in there that needs to be uncovered and removed?  You have a loving and gentle Father who desperately wants to clean it out of your life.  He doesn’t use harsh chemicals to do the job.  He uses love and His blood, which cleanses even the hardest stains [Psalm 51:1-7].  He’s more dependable than the Maids of Honor.  One call, that’s all!

Connect with Susan!
www.susannorris.org,
Twitter  @SusanCNorris,
Facebook  Susan Norris author.   

Click here to listen to "Just Surrender" by Starfield

"Just Surrender" by Starfield from starfield on GodTube.

Speaking in Pencil - A Guest Blog by Melissa Driggers

Photo By Melissa Driggers

Speaking in Pencil 

By

Melissa Driggers 

She called me today, heartbroken.  Words had been spoken – cruel ones. The kind that leaves a wound, then a bruise, and then a scar that remains to maliciously remind. These words had wounded a loved one, and I was overcome with conviction and repentance when she shared her deepest ache through sobs of pain at the effect of the soul-crushing comments.   

You might be thinking that she is the grieving recipient.  She isn’t.  She is the grieving deliverer.  Her cries were so gut-deep that I could barely understand her.                                                    

“Oh Melissa, I hurt the one I love so badly.  How do I fix this?”  

My heart aches for her.  And for the one she loves.  And for me.  Because I have been that person.  I am that person.  While there is a population out there that would boldly proclaim that I have spoken encouraging words over them, there is yet another population (hopefully much smaller) that can describe the painful marks left on their hearts by my ruthless words.  And usually to the ones I love the most.  I don’t even like to think about it.   

Even with the most sincere of apologies offered, and even with the truest of repentant hearts, the memory lingers in the heart of the wounded.  The scar is left to remind, and from that point forward it becomes a battle within that the wounded must fight when someone or something unknowingly opens that scar.    

We write on the heart-slate of one another.  We can trample a heart with  

One. 

Single. 

Word. 

He entrusts us with words.  His words.  Words to edify, exhort, and encourage one another.  Words to build up, inspire, and to lead with humility.  Words to offer hope, comfort, and words to heal.  Words to proclaim the Truth of His love, mercy, and grace.  Yet with the same mouth that we share His words, we shoot sharp darts that can brutally pierce the heart of another. 

Sometimes, too many times, I wish I could speak in pencil.  That eraser would be so handy.  As the magical word-remover leaves its evidence of black flecks where punishing words once were, we could point to the dust and show the unlucky recipient the proof that the word was no longer there.  

"See, look, I didn’t mean it.  It’s gone!  We can just forget this ever happened..."   

If only.  Unfortunately, indelible ink doesn’t have a handy little eraser. 

I have some good news, though.

As powerful as our words spoken may seem to be, they are powerless in the presence of the God of the Redeemed.  For harsh words spoken, as we repent, there is grace (oh, so much grace) and forgiveness to cover the sin.  Period.  Done.   

As powerful as painful words received may seem to be, they are powerless in the presence of the God of healing and restoration.   No wound is too deep for Him to touch and to heal.  With faith, prayer, time, and forgiveness, God can and will heal a wounded heart.    

May we be reminded today, to pray His words: 

May the words of my mouth and this meditation 

of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, 

my Rock and my Redeemer.

(Psalm 19:14)

Would you join me in taking some time to listen to this song as you pray and dedicate your words to Him today? 

(Shane & Shane, "May The Words of My Mouth")

Link to music:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY0FHMME2dU

About Me:  Reminded daily that I’m being chased by the One I pursue. Cancer survivor,  encourager, teacher, speaker, blogger, writer.  Passionate about relationships, coffee, books, my kids (who are “technically” canine but they think they are human), and cooking for the people I love.  

Contact: infieldsofgrace@gmail.com

 For more information about Melissa contact her at her blog/website at www.infieldsofgrace.com  

Are You Hesed? by @LucilleZ

Photo by Lucille Zimmerman

Are You Hesed?

ByLucille Zimmerman 

There is a Hebrew word that appears 250 times in the Old Testament.

The word is hesed.

Hesed is translated by King James in 14 different ways (goodness, kindness, devotion, devout, faithfulness, good, kindly, loveliness, loving-kindness, loyal deeds, loyalty, mercies, righteousness, unchanging love).

Some people say the word is untranslatable.

In essence, Hesed is the unfailing, consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, furious love of our Father God. Hesed means love as God loves. It’s His promise to His people. It is grace extended when it was not deserved. It is based on God, not you.

What I find most fascinating about the word hesed (spelled “chesed”) is that linguistically it is linked to the Hebrew word for “stork.” The word for "stork" in Hebrew is "chasidah.” The "chasidah" means the "pious, faithful, or kindly bird" because of its loving-kindness and devotion to its young. The stork was considered to be the best mother of all the animals.

Do you know there is a love that follows you and will not let you go? Like a loving mamma stork caring for her young, God cares for you.

“Surely goodness and mercy (hesed) shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”-Psalm 23:6

Lucille Zimmerman is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Littleton, CO and an affiliate faculty professor at Colorado Christian University.  

She is also the author of Renewed: Finding Your Inner Happy in an Overwhelmed World. Through practical ideas and relatable anecdotes, readers can better understand their strengths and their passions—and address some of the underlying struggles or hurts that make them want to keep busy or minister to others to the detriment of themselves. Renewed can help nurture those areas of women’s lives to use them better for work, family, and service. It gives readers permission to examine where they spend their energy and time, and learn to set limits and listen to “that inner voice."

All Access Pass by @Lori_Kennedy

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

All Access Pass 

By
Lori Kennedy 

“God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.”(Psalm 18:24 The Message)

Have you ever been to a concert and seen people with an All Access Backstage Pass?  When I was a teenager, I always wanted to get my hands on one of those passes and be included backstage where I perceived all the action and important people were. 

God has given you an All Access Pass to eternal life through His son Jesus Christ.  

John 3:16 (NIV) states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” 

What does this mean?  God loves YOU!  In fact, He loves you so much that he wants to be with you forever. But what does, “He gave His one and only son” mean?  God allowed His son Jesus to die on the cross.  But why did Jesus have to die?  Jesus conquered death when He rose back to life from the grave three days after his death on the cross. 

Whereas you and I are sinners, Jesus was sinless.  If you have ever told a lie, stolen anything, or even talked back to your parents, then you have sinned.

  Romans 3:23 (NIV) states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”   

Heaven is a fabulous place that has been prepared for you where no one will hunger or thirst again (Revelation 7:17).  God created Heaven and Earth with laws.  The laws of Earth include the law of gravity and the tides of the oceans.  The law of Heaven states that sin is not allowed into Heaven (Revelation 21:27).  Since God could not allow sin into heaven, Jesus’ sinless sacrifice covers our sin so that we can enter into heaven. 

This All Access Pass gives you more than eternal life.  It gives you freedom from the chains that bind you in this life once you open your heart to your Savior.  You, see, II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) says that you are a New Creation, the old has gone and the new has come.  Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. 

Have you given your heart and life to Christ?  God has promised you that He can rewrite your life if you open the book of your heart to His eyes.  I challenge you today to take full advantage of your All Access Pass so that you can overcome having freedom to fulfill your God given destiny.

LoriKennedy.com

Click the picture below for a video to Darrell Evans' song 

"Freedom"

Feeling Seen by @TraceePersiko

Photo by Tracee Persiko

FEELING SEEN

ByTracee Persiko 

I remember in high school when my crush talked to me for the first time in the hallway. I remember what it felt like to be stunned and looking around to see if he was really talking to me. AND he was an upper class man…that’s right!

I remember being stunned that he was sweet and a really a nice guy. Who knew he could hold a conversation and be normal. I couldn’t believe he was asking me about basketball. He knew I played basketball!?

My crush had always been this untouchable person that I would catch glimpses of between classes and at lunch. Now he was not only the guy I saw, but the one who also saw me.

Feeling seen always runs deep. It matters a lot, and is honey to the soul. 

My heart is always tender towards the Samaritan woman that Jesus talks to by the well. This woman had gone her whole life only knowing the sounds of scoffing and disdain.  She was not a respected woman. She had no friends in town and was known for being “loose” with the men. Due to her less than appealing reputation, this Samaritan woman chose the hottest times of day when no one was around to get her chores done. 

One day and one conversation with Jesus changed her life.

Jesus was a Jew who was not socially permitted to talk to a Samaritan woman. That didn’t matter to him. Jesus only saw a person to love.

While this woman was drawing water from the well, Jesus stopped and talked to her. He talked to her about life, relationships, and faith. He passed no judgments, but extends an invitation of new life and love. Jesus made her feel seen.

I don’t think it’s ironic that when the woman went back into town to tell people about Jesus that she chose these words, "Come see a man who told me everything I did. In my head I always continue the statement with, “and still loves me.”

For the first time this lost and invisible woman felt valued and known – she felt seen and accepted. Someone saw her. Someone accepted her sin and mess of a life and loved her. This changed everything.

Every one of us is a mess. Everyone is in need of value and love. Making someone feel seen changes everything. It did for me and the Samaritan woman. It’s healing.

In what ways have you experienced feeling seen?

How can you make someone feel seen?

Click here to watch Meredith Andrews' song video "You're Not Alone"