Sunday, June 14, 2015

Behind the Smiles

Somehow, I failed to post what I wrote for last night,  June 13, 2015. Here it is:

June 13, 2015

A lot of pain can hide behind a smile. I had the opportunity to talk to three different people today, each of whom revealed struggles that would not be apparent had they not spoken candidly about issues of the heart. Each one is what I would call one of the "beautiful people," good-looking, hard-working, successful; yet each one walking through life bearing an incredible burden of loss that dogs their steps through the day and haunts their dreams at night.

Whenever we meet people, we ask the standard question, "How 'ya doing," expecting the standard answer, "OK," or "Great!" But often if that initial greeting is followed up with a sincere and genuine inquiry into what is actually happening, the walls come down and we see the struggle behind the smile. My questions today were not intended to be probing; I was just being polite, but happened to be in the right place at the right time. Circumstances didn't permit the conversations to be lengthy or deep, but the doors were opened, and I was invited in. I knew I was standing on holy ground. I am grateful tonight for the invitation into the heart I was given by three different people, and pray that I listened appropriately, and have the opportunity to demonstrate in the future the seeking and saving heart of God for those who are hurting. God sees through the smiles and knows when they reflect and when they mask the soul. His love is great, and his grace is sufficient to heal the broken heart. But we are the instruments in his hands, sent to put flesh and blood to Christ's love and grace. May I be sufficient for the task.

A lot of pain can hide behind a smile. I had the opportunity to talk to three different people today, each of whom revealed struggles that would not be apparent had they not spoken candidly about issues of the heart. Each one is what I would call one of the "beautiful people," good-looking, hard-working, successful; yet each one walking through life bearing an incredible burden of loss that dogs their steps through the day and haunts their dreams at night.

Whenever we meet people, we ask the standard question, "How 'ya doing," expecting the standard answer, "OK," or "Great!" But often if that initial greeting is followed up with a sincere and genuine inquiry into what is actually happening, the walls come down and we see the struggle behind the smile. My questions today were not intended to be probing; I was just being polite, but happened to be in the right place at the right time. Circumstances didn't permit the conversations to be lengthy or deep, but the doors were opened, and I was invited in. I knew I was standing on holy ground. I am grateful tonight for the invitation into the heart I was given by three different people, and pray that I listened appropriately, and have the opportunity to demonstrate in the future the seeking and saving heart of God for those who are hurting. God sees through the smiles and knows when they reflect and when they mask the soul. His love is great, and his grace is sufficient to heal the broken heart. But we are the instruments in his hands, sent to put flesh and blood to Christ's love and grace. May I be sufficient for the task.

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