I love surprises. But I’m finding that the best ones come to me in waves instead of a jump-out-from-behind-the-furniture-shout-of-surprise kind of moment. These waves wash upon me, revealing a little more with each visit, unveiling a life-changing truth that I need to absorb. I believe this is always a visit from the Holy Spirit.
A few weeks ago, someone shared something at a meeting that didn’t seem all that different from any other share. Except, I kept thinking about it. It’s like it was calling for my attention. So I sat with it for a bit…
I remember this lady’s first meeting. Her posture revealed the heavy burden she carried. She didn’t make eye contact as a steady stream of tears quietly dripped off of her face. Remembering this made me feel grateful for the hope that this program gives.
“I’m here because of my daughter.” She started. We often give a little back-story for the new people in the room. “She’s living with me now. She suffers from mental illness and she’s still using, I think. But the other day, I saw her and realized, I love her so much. I felt so much love for her that I went over to her and hugged her tight and said, I really do love you.”
I want you to sit with that for a minute. Maybe, re-read that last paragraph.
I am always brought back to the essence of this program with a share like this one. She reminded me, that it is about me. It is about my conversion, not theirs. And I do believe that conversion is the word to use here.
You see, when we can see our loved ones from a place of love instead of a place of fear, then healing is possible.
We show up to these meetings, waiting and waiting for our loved ones to change. But the thing that needs to happen is that we need to change. This woman’s daughter was still the same. Her situation hadn’t changed. This woman’s heart had.
Now put yourself in her daughter’s shoes for a moment. Imagine how she must have felt when her mom was frantic, afraid and crying. Then imagine her mom looking at her with gratitude and love for her no-matter-what, telling her that she loved her.
In the first situation, she might feel the same way that her mom did when she first walked into our meeting room. In the second one with that burden lifted, she might begin to feel connection to her mom; connection that might give her the strength she needs to hang on. Which of these scenarios do you think has the best chance of eliciting change?
One is love. The other is fear. One is of God. The other is not.
If you have a loved one who still suffers, your power lies within you. The choice really is between love and fear. Which will you choose?
Looking for a Lenten Series? Join me via livestream. I’ll be speaking in Princeton, Kentucky (Site of the December 10, 2021 tornadoes) on March 3, 10 and 24. If you’d like to see the reflections, go to my Events page and choose the ‘Unity and Hope in Chaos’ event to register. A Zoom link will be emailed to you closer to the event.
The event is free to watch. But if you’d like to donate to help those affected by the storm there is a donation button. Funds will go towards emotional and spiritual counseling for those who have lost their homes.
Even if you are unable to contribute financially, I ask you to add these communities to your prayers. Their needs are beyond what any one person can help. But if we gather as a community of brothers and sisters in Christ, and surround them with our prayers, all things are possible.
