LASTING IMPRESSIONS

I am in awe of seeing how so much of life consists of little connections or details that prove to me the realness of God and the Spirit’s presence. It brings me joy to see and share these things with others. We never truly know the impact of our lives on other people or how simple things can mean so much. What a mighty God we serve!

A few weeks ago, it was an unexpected blessing to get to work and see a card and present on my desk from a coworker who was retiring. It was a God moment that we connected at work three months earlier. I had known of her and found the few times we interacted through the years that she was very kind, friendly, and helpful. In February, she sent a work email to a group of people, including me. A day or so later, we passed each other in the hall, and I had that inkling to see if she would be interested in one of my books. I opted to email her in case she was not interested. Much to my surprise, she said she would like to see one. So off I went to her desk. We had a lovely conversation about faith and family that lasted probably a good 20 minutes or more. She bought two different books that day. About a month later, she bought the remaining book because she was enjoying them. That day was a blessing as we shared more stories about our lives where we could relate to similar situations. What a blessing to be able to encourage each other with understanding and empathy.

 

Photo courtesy of Amydeanne under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

It was a special God moment to realize that back in 2016, I had taken a picture of two items with sayings that were on her desk without her knowing, as they fit in well with a reflection I wrote. I am always on the lookout for inspiring pictures that might one day be in a reflection. What a blessing it was seven years later to receive this one as a memento of our friendship. I am leaving it at work as a reminder of God’s orchestration in knowing her.

 

 

What a great truth… Isn’t it important to remember the impact our lives have on others? When all is said and done, isn’t it most important to realize that it is how we make people FEEL that is of paramount importance?

I couldn’t help but think of Jesus and how He made people feel. Consider this Bible story:

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” –John 8:1-11 (NIV)

Did Jesus make the adulterous woman feel ashamed?

Did Jesus show hatred toward her even though she was caught in sin?

Did Jesus use cutting remarks to dehumanize others?

I believe the answer to all these questions is a definite no! Jesus made this woman feel valued, loved, and respected as a person as He told her to leave her current life of sin. Jesus treated the teachers of the law and the Pharisees with value, love, and respect in the same way by gently helping them to see that they too were sinners.

 

Photo courtesy of BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)

 

*Do we make people feel valuable?

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. –Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV)

What a privilege it is to be made in God’s very image! I think it is important to remind ourselves of that fact each day. Do we take time to consider that what humans think of as the worst person is also made in God’s image? God is perfect, and in His eyes, we are all of equal value.  Being God, He does not have any favorites.

REFLECTION:

In what specific way can you make one person feel valued this week?

 

*Do we make people feel loved for who they are?

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” –John 13:34-35 (NIV)

As disciples of Jesus, we are given the command to love one another purely because they too are children of God.  God never stops loving us, even when we are steeped in sin. We need to model that same love for others, even when we think they don’t deserve it. It is possible that our modeling of love for another can lead to the first step in their conversion.

REFLECTION:

Is there someone you can be challenged to love unconditionally, realizing they too are a child of God?

 

*Do we include all people, making them feel respected?

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. –1 Corinthians 12:26-27 (NIV)

We, the Body of Christ, are all individual members with different gifts and talents that God has given us. Each of our gifts is equally important and necessary for the Body of Christ to function properly. When one of us experiences either suffering or joy, we all join in. One of our responsibilities is to make every part of the Body feel respected and included.

REFLECTION:

Can you make an effort to speak to someone outside your normal circle of friends?

 

While penning this reflection, I reread the note my friend wrote in her card. I share it here because I realized that it left me feeling valued, loved, and respected for just being me! Whenever I see the memento or card at work, I will remember how our short encounter impacted the way I FEEL~

 

 

Be encouraged this week to…

…see the value in every face you encounter, knowing they are a child of God.

…model the unconditional love God has for you.

…respect people, especially those who might have different views than you.

 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. –Romans 12:10 (NIV)