I don't think God works that way. (Did your head just tilt?) I believe I'm called to listen and to love. And I'm so beaten down, I can't take anyone's salvation as my responsibility. But I can be a safe place to share what's truly troubling someone, to love unconditionally even when I disagree with what they're saying. I can nod in agreement with the struggle. I can support the person without interjecting my thoughts or sharing a bible verse. God will have to work out the salvation part.
Because here's the truth: people stop talking when they feel judged, and the hitch is judgment in a nutshell. When I keep my head upright and listen with my mouth shut, I keep the door open to future conversations.
What we all need is people around us who will listen. Just listen. Without judgment. Without the need to share a differing opinion. There's always time for that. Later. And only after a specific request for said opinion, to be shared with care and love.
In the meantime, ditch the hitch.
Part of our Bread for the Journey (Henry Nouwen) reading this evening: To become neighbors is to bridge the gap between people. ... We think of them as enemies. We forget that they love as we love, care for their children as we care for ours, become sick and die as we do. ... Only when we have the courage to cross the road and look in one another's eyes can we see there that we are children of the same God and members of the same human family.
ReplyDeleteSo much truth!
ReplyDeleteThank you Annie.❤️
ReplyDelete