‘SEE!”

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 413
February 12, 2019///

I am writing this later in the day because I had a test on my heart this morning. It came out fine indicating the symptoms I was experiencing were no cause for immediate concern.

Because I knew there would be periods of waiting, I had slipped a little Guidepost Magazine into my purse. During one of the waiting periods I was looking over some quotes in the Guidepost and one of them really set my mind to thinking.

It was a quote from Glennon Doyle.
“PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP SOMETIMES LOOK A LOT LIKE PEOPLE WHO DON’T NEED HELP.”

So, let’s digest that a moment. We all know people who are forever sharing all the problems and situations they are dealing with or do not know how to handle. They will let you know they need help or even if they just think they need help.

It is very evident the mother of three out of control children in Walmart who looks like she is about to scream and says to you “I’m going to run away”, needs help.

It is evident that the person burning up with a fever and cough needs help and it is evident the grief-stricken families at a funeral of a loved one need help.

If someone shares openly that they cannot pay their bills, you know they need help.

There are people who have no problem sharing those things. But the opposite of that is also true. There are people we know who would never share their needs or problems. They just internalize the things they are dealing with and act like all is well with the world.

Their response to the question of how they are is “I’m great!”. Some of these people are far from great and need a helping hand or at least someone to show they care.

The people needing help may look like they have it all together. They may look like they have no problems at all!!

How would we know?? We need to ask the Holy Spirit to allow us to see past people’s demeanor and words and see into their soul. The Holy Spirit knows who needs help and what they need. The Holy Spirit can prompt us to say, “I don’t know what it is, but I feel like something is wrong”.

This may open a door for someone to share a broken heart or a deep need. The Spirit of the living God may even give you discernment about what a person is dealing with.

I know for myself I don’t share things nearly as freely as my daughter, Donna does. It is harder for some of us than for others, but we are to encourage and lift each other up and that is only possible if we know what people are dealing with.

Now, DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND!! I am not talking about having a pity party or doom, despair and agony on me. Needs can be shared in a way that gives glory to the God we know cares.

We can share a need along with a scripture we are standing on or if someone shares a need with us, we can encourage them with scripture. Because Jesus is the answer to every problem.

But we need to be aware that things are not always what they seem, and we need to be sensitive to the Spirit of God within us.

We need to really look at people in sincerity when we ask how they are and let them know we really care.

A card, a text, a call, a visit can all lift a person from despair and give them hope.

For myself a picture text to me of my grandchildren or great grandchildren, just makes me smile and fills me with joy.

A smile, a word of praise, encouragement, a word from the Lord. All these will show someone they are not alone and someone cares.

May we see through the mask and see those around us who are crying inside for help.

I ask you to join me in praying the following prayer daily, with sincerity!!
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FATHER GOD, GIVE ME EYES THAT I MIGHT SEE, GOOD THAT CAN BE DONE BY ME.
GIVE ME EARS THAT I MIGHT HEAR, THE CRY OF THOSE WHO NEED ME NEAR.
GIVE ME LIPS THAT I MIGHT SPEAK, COMFORT AND PEACE TO ALL WHO SEEK.
AND FATHER GOD, ABOVE ALL ELSE, GIVE ME A HEART THAT I MIGHT LOVE!

May we all really see people!!
Love, MeMaw