I had already taken a shower, dressed, and was mentally prepared to go to the dentist yesterday. But, I had not put makeup on yet, nor had I dried and fixed my hair. Then I got a phone call from the dentist office. My hygienist's dad was put in the hospital the night before and she would not be in. They tried two other hygienists to see if one could sub - but neither could. So all the office could do was reschedule me. I moved my appointment to July 21. I think that is what it is; it's on my calendar in the other room. Yay - I get a reprieve. So I let my hair dry naturally and didn't wear makeup.
Yesterday was quiet and boring. My one boss and I exchanged a few words on Teams (sorta like IM) and she was off to a granddaughter's kindergarten graduation for the morning. I think I made only one meeting the entire day. I didn't do much else but sit in front of the cmoputer. B-o-r-i-n-g. I did get notice to schedule a meeting at 3:57PM and you know what? I started to... then opted out. I get off at 4PM... it was not a critical meeting and I wasn't going to schedule it until the end of June anyway.... so it can wait until Monday. It was for an outside preson and not my boss, although she was invited. Yeah, I get requests from outside vendors too. Overall, yesterday was a quiet day.
I fixed dinner, we ate, and we got to read last night - no TV - but by 7:30PM I was dozing off to sleep so gave up about 8PM and went to bed. I have a feeling hubby watched TV (with his headset) after I went to bed cause he woke me up at 10:10PM when he came to bed (long enough to watch a movie, but I could be wrong. But him read for two hours? Doubtful. Anyway, he tossed and turned last night, waking me frequently. Although I wanted - and could have - slept in this morning I was up at 4PM and went to the other bedroom, hoping to fall back to sleep, but could not. So came on out here and read my Bible and prayed and did a few other things. I think hubby got up about 5AM.
I have Needles of Hope this morning and Ms. Lori is bringing yarn that has been donated. YAY ! I usually let the others take what they want - and then I take the leftovers... unless there is something I see that I really want, then I feel I am entitled to it as well as they - usually what they leave is scratchy stuff and only a skein of a color or a partial one. But that's ok - I still make it into a baby blanket and turn it in. I think I have 4 blankets to take today as I have been working on a couple other things this month, plus reading a lot more than usual.
After Needles of Hope, I plan to stop by and see Ms. Diane. Her daughter text'd me last night and told me where she is staying and her room number, and it is close by where NoH meets. I'll visit with her first, then will check in with Ms. Amy and go visit her real quick. I still can't believe that she is finally leaving for Florida on Monday. Mixed emotions. I bought a small package of note cards and plan to put a few stamps with it and give to her, along with my address card. She can write me when she gets settled in and give me her address. It will be nice to have a 'pen pal' - if she writes at all. I'll miss her.
Luke 7:44 "Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?""
Looking and seeing people or things are two different things. It's sorta like hearing and listening, right? One is merely the physical, while the other requires the willing cooperation of the heart. Many of us - in rebellion - acceed to the looking not seeing, hearing not listening modes. That is, we will admit it if we are being honest.
Whenever we're certain that our own schedules and reputations are the most important to maintain, we lack the sensitivity and compassion needed to pay attention to what anyone else is saying - or even listen enough to digest the words spoken. We fail to see what is on their heart; are their words crying out for help? Are we so focused on our way, our sensitivities, our thoughts - that we fail to see or hear what they are feeling and trying to tell us? As we all know - "Fine" does not always mean 'fine'. That word is used to protect ourselves. We don't want to share what is going on, but we want you to hear us that we're hurting and just don't want to share. We just want to be accepted and loved. We'll share when we work through it; process it. Please tell me I'm not alone with that thought.
In this story from Luke 7, Simon the Pharisee had just witnessed the shocking spectacle of a 'lewd woman' sneaking uninvited into his home during his special dinner party and she poured perfume - and a lot of tears - upon the feet of Jesus. EVERY eye in the room had watched her, horrified at what she was doing. Women did not 'let their hair down' in public! They all 'saw' her, but Jesus specificially asked Simon to 'look again' at her.
If Simon could really see her, he would know that this woman had come seeking forgiveness from her Savior. She had come seeking forgiveness for sins no worse or more heinous than those committed by the smug and the self-righteous. If Simon had seen this in her, rather than merely staring in shock at her, his hypocrisy would have melted into humility. His critique would have changed into compassion. His judging would have turned his thoughts to within himself.... and if he had done these things, become humble, have compassion, repented within himself, he could have walked out of that place with the same gifts that she did; saving faith and blessed peace from Jesus Himself.
How different would your own relationships and encounters with others be if you could change your looking into seeing? How much more of an impact on others for the kingdom of God on an everyday basis if you elevated your hearing into listening to people?
Oh that we all could become a choice intrument in the hand of God, prepared for His purposes, propelled into His passion, moved to displays of grace and mercy towards the hurting in the lost and dying world. Why not ask the Lord that today, He would make you more sensitive to the words of others, that you will truly listen and see them, perhaps for the very first time in a very long time.
Make it a point today to start listening, and seeing, perhaps for the first time in a very long time.
Blessings!
