People need others to listen.
They need to know they are seen and heard.
I believe that one of the most powerful things in life is a story—not some fairytale from a children’s book about dragons and princess’, kings and queens, or Humpty Dumpty, but the story of a real person made of flesh and blood, created by our Father, the creator of the universe. A story of struggle and triumph, heartache and immense joy, loss and love.
This week, I have made quite a few new friends both at my new temporary job and by simply walking around the Mall of Georgia aimlessly (if you need a good laugh, ask me about it).
This morning, Worship Track met up at the square in downtown Gainesville to worship outside, in public and invite other’s into that space with the Father.
As the sweet sound of the guitar and voices wafted through the square, I sat on the sidewalk with my eyes closed, soaking it all in. After a little while, I felt that I needed to stand up and pace. Typically, pacing (or walking in circles or simply back and forth in a straight line) is something I only do when I am anxious or things are too overwhelming or overstimulating. I was confused because I was as far from anxious as I could be this morning…I felt complete peace, almost wrapped up in my own little world with Daddy. But I felt that gentle whisper one gets when the Holy Spirit is moving so, I got up and started walking around the square and words started coming out of my mouth—“Daddy, Thank you for Gainesville. Thank you for these people. Thank you for the blue sky and the cold weather. May this just touch one person or impact one life whether we see that fruit or not.”
The Lord is funny, how He writes our stories and weaves together little details of everyone’s life so they connect in some way.
Not long after this, I saw a man sitting and listening. I walked over, sat down next to him and just started talking. As we started talking, he told me he had just come from a meeting and heard the music and how he loves live music; “Music is just so good for the soul”, he said. I asked if he played any instruments and learned that he really wants to learn guitar but his fingers are too stiff. He shared how he has a job and how his boss is a Christian and has helped him out tremendously. He shared how he really has no family left, except his daughter and a few distant relatives who don’t live in town. He shared his love of Nascar. He shared with me about his struggle with drug and alcohol addiction and how he has been clean for a year. Through that, I was able to share about my cousin, his struggle with drugs and how we eventually lost him to his demons five years ago. We talked about how hard it is—recovery from any struggle whether that be drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, or any vice we use to drown out pain, and how by losing people to their struggles, we realize that we are not invincible superheroes. When I asked if I could pray for him, he exclaimed “Of course!”
As he got up to leave, he looked at me, straight in the eyes and said “Ya know, sometimes you just need to sit down and share your life with someone. I needed this. Thank you,”
Who, in your life, are you going to sit down with today and listen to?
