Tender Like Him

Several months ago I walked into a drug store in our area and saw a woman at the counter who was dressed to impress. I realize right away that I knew her but I could not remember where we had met. There is still a little of the former insecurity left in me-- so honestly, I just wanted to avoided the reintroductions and move on.
What makes matters like this even worse is a heart that is very tired and tender. You just never know what someone will say that will poke at the tenderness..... and then the fight begins to contain the emotions.

So being the social bee that I am not...I walked the long way around. :)
I know, you have never done the same. ;)
But, I am learning from the behind view--that is, looking back on the situation now---- that God was about to teach me something that would make sense much later.

As I got ready to go to the counter to check out.....the woman turned around and of course she saw me AND remembered my name. Don't ya just hate that?
So I stood there and smiled and wondered if I looked as old and harried as I felt. And as a gracious southern gal.....I acknowledge her greeting.
Following these reintroductions I was reminded that we knew each other from two places.....one the Christian school our boys had attended and two I had been the manager at the Country club she belonged too .
She really was a sweet person and she couldn't help that she was just naturally beautiful. :)
So we started in on the conversation I wanted to avoid and then it began to go where I did not want it to go....our sons. Hers was doing great in school and would be graduating and going off to college on a sports scholarship. Life was good and they were so proud of their boys. Then came the question.....
Well, how is Michael doing??????? What is he up to? Where will he be going to college?

I wish I could freeze frame this section and take it in slow motion....because that is exactly what I felt as my mind began to scramble for an answer to her questions. I felt like time had stopped and I was about to answer her question over the store microphone.
I don't remember my exact response.....but I do remember the Holy Spirit stepping up to the plate and reminding me that I needed to represent Him in a godly way.
In other words....Don't run and don't lie. ;)
So, I told her that Michael was not sure what he was going to do yet..... I was truthful.

So why share this with you?
Well, I wanted to share what God has been teaching me and
because after looking back over the things that I have been allowed to go through........I hurt for the woman who felt like she had been cornered. I feel bad that she felt shame and embarrassment for the things she could not correct or do anything about.

And I wonder if I have without thought or mean intent treated other women as that woman treated me that day in the drug store.
Here is my point.
I believe that when Jesus approached people He approached them looking for their greatest need. Many times their pain or suffering got in the way of them receiving His message. He wanted them to leave His presence knowing that they were important and loved.
He listened and watched for the area of their lives to be exposed so that He could touch the darkness and bring a glimmer of hope to their hearts.
He just loved them at their greatest point of need and they were healed.

There are so many women out there who are hurting and lonely. They may look well put together on the outside or they may look like someone who needs to be put together.....but they all need the touch of God in their lives.
We are here to offer that touch.
I guess I just want to offer this little thought to think about.
I know that we all have areas where we are proud of the things that God has done.
Our children are perhaps healthy, happy and making good grades. Our husbands are experiencing success and our marriage is doing good.
But, the next time we see someone who we have not seen in awhile........or maybe someone who is a new introduction.......could we take a second to think about what may be going on behind closed doors? Maybe something that they are not willing to talk about to someone who appears to have it all together.
Understand?
I know that God allowed that situation in the drug store for a reason.
For one....... it revealed the pride in my heart. That has to go.
And now it makes my heart tender toward others who are walking painful paths.
Maybe I should have opened up and told her what was going on. I could have shared some of the lessons God was teaching Keith and I. Maybe she was not as put together as she appeared.
Could it be that because I was not willing to look--"un put together"---that I missed an opportunity to give God glory even in the mess?
I don't know....but I so want to be His heart here on this earth.
We can be that......I know that as ya'll share your lives with me....I hear His voice.
Others can see Him in your lives. Yes, even in lives that do not look all put together perfectly.

I pray that we will walk the tender walk He walked.
Lets not be afraid to share our scars with the world.......they need to know that He still heals.

Thanks again for listening.
And remember.....your scars are beautiful when placed in His hands.