But y'know what? It's okay.
Because God has been challenging, teaching, and growing me this month.
I actually had this idea for a post a few weeks ago, but never wrote it down. I guess God needed to teach me a little more about it before He let me publish it. The thought was... "Take time to understand what those around you have gone and are going through because I guarantee it'll give you a greater appreciation for that person."
// I first thought of this (embarrassingly enough) while having a conversation with my mom. I was frustrated with some things and just felt like she could try harder in some areas. (Great! I've become THAT daughter... praise God for forgiveness.) Anyway, we had a long talk and I was reminded that my mom never had the privileges I have had.
She did not grow up in a Christian home.
She did not get to attend Biblical girlhood conferences.
She had to get up and go to a public school and endure bad influences every day.
She had a very broken home.
She didn't have the Comforter while she was young.
I already knew all that, but somehow having that brought to the forefront of my mind gave me a new and fresh appreciation for her. Instead of only seeing her actions, I saw the good intentions of her heart.
"...for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Again, A few months later I was talking to a friend about the years before she came to know Christ and it gave me a renewed appreciation for the great work Christ did in her and her family's lives.
// Yet again this month, I witnessed a crisis within my own family (God was preparing me guys) and realized that even though we may all be experiencing the same difficulties and trials each one of us copes with and rationalizes things differently and each person may view the situation differently. We ought never to expect others to understand or handle things in the same way we do.
As Christians it is our job to encourage one another and bear one another's burdens. (Galatians 6:2) But how are we to do that unless we ask and show a genuine desire to help in love?
// My challenge to you this week is to show interest in a friend or family member's life and encourage them in whatever trial they are going through no matter how large or small. Try to see them as God sees them. Look past everything you know and seek to know their hurt and their heart.
Blessings,
Hannah
