See what great love the Father lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. –1 John 3:1 NIV
We often think no one sees the pain behind our smile. We think we’ve fooled everyone by covering up our true feelings. We become the life of the party so that we don’t have to deal with the truth. However, the Father sees all, nothing is hidden from His sight. Often, when we don’t know what to do, He sends exactly what we need to go on. Alone at church one Sunday, I sat next to an older woman who was also alone. Throughout the service the Lord kept speaking to my heart about her. He kept whispering to me, “Tell her that I love her, and that she’s so very precious to me.” I waited until church was dismissed, told her what the Lord told me to say, and kissed her on the cheek. Her eyes filled with tears. The Father’s love for her was so real, and she needed to feel it demonstrated by another person at that moment. How many times do we miss blessing someone for fear of being rejected or thought foolish? She needed Jesus with skin on that day. Listen to that still, small voice. Be the touch someone desperately needs. It doesn’t cost anything to encourage someone; it only requires faith and boldness.
Father, help me to focus on the needs of those around me first before thinking about myself.
Ask God for eyes to see the pain behind the smile. Pray for wisdom to become Jesus with skin on.