Yesterday I shared about a recent post office experience which prompted me to remember an experience from several years ago …
Life seemed different when experienced through Sophia, who was then four years old. Running errands took on a whole new meaning, as she fully embraced the journey. She especially loved going into the post office as she would sit up on the counter, talked to the clerks, and waited patiently for them to imprint her hand with a rubber stamp and ink. She loved every minute of it.
She took a shine to one woman. Sophia made sure to converse with her each time we went, learning her name, asking her questions. I had a most eye-opening conversation with Mary (not her real name), Sophia’s friend, the first time I went in without Sophia, who had then begun school.
Mary asked for her. I explained that she was in school. Mary remarked that Sophia would do well in school as she loves to converse and ask questions. I replied, “You have made quite an impression on that little girl.â€
Mary replied, “No, it is you people who have made an impression on me.â€
When I looked puzzled, she continued….
“Didn’t you ever notice that I don’t really like people and I especially don’t like children. Sophia MADE me like her. I am not even sure how you all did it but week after week, you came in and talked to me and cared. I couldn’t NOT like you all. When I would see you in line, I hurried just to be able to take care of you so I would get to talk to her. She MADE me like her.â€
The post office remained empty and we continued to talk. She shared with me of her childhood, of the pain of being shy and introverted, unloved, mistreated, abused. Driving home, I realized that over the time, we had become safe to her. It took time but somehow, without knowing it, Sophia had made relationship with this woman.
In her book, “Untamedâ€, Lisa Harper writes:
Our Savior pursues us to the extreme. He takes the lead in loving us. He calls us into relationship with Him.
The disciples and the crowds drew close mainly because they sensed He cared about them. Jesus won their hearts by declaring and demonstrating His affection first. And the more I contemplate His passionate quest for my own heart – the more I’m compelled to run after Him. (page 83)
The very same way Christ pursues us to make relationship, we must be deliberate to make relationships with those around us. We need to demonstrate to them that they matter to us. They must know that we do truly care about them, their hurts and their fears. The more we demonstrate our concern for them, the more compelled they will feel to open up to us.
It is a hurting world. May we show the love of Christ in the ordinary interactions that we have each and every day with those we meet. May we remember to win over their hearts, one day at a time.
“We love because He first loved us.†(1 John 4:19 NIV)
Let’s win their hearts by declaring and demonstrating His affection first.
* This is an edited version of a post shared several years ago.
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Woman to Woman and Recharge Wednesday .
Awesome. This (win their hearts by declaring and demonstrating His affection first.) is what faith is all about. Thank you, Joanne, for sharing this. Every Christian needs to hear this. Abundant blessings to both of you!
Thank you, Mari-Anna. I needed the reminder 🙂
Yes!! ~ Let’s win their hearts by declaring and demonstrating His affection first.
Our kids and grandkids take us out of our comfort zones when they’re the type of person who has “never met a stranger.”
Thanks for this sweet story with a crucial lesson.
I love learning from the two little ones God has placed in my life!
SO good and so true. xo
Hi Joanne,
We’re neighbors at Coffee for your Heart today. Thanks for sharing these words! The example of Christ is to reach out to others even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable — since most of all, they need to hear about his love!
It can be most difficult or uncomfortable. I am discovering it becomes easier when it happens in the ordinary happenings of our days. Grateful you stopped here!
Joanne,
Your post made me smile and it is what I’ve been thinking about lately. In this current political climate, it is even more important for those who know God’s love to actively show God’s love and concern to others. Praising God for the difference you and Sophia made in that lady’s life <3
Dolly, I didn’t even think within the context of the current political climate. So very true! May we be a display of God’s love and concern, for surely we all need to know He loves us and is concerned about each one of us. We can make a difference to the one. I so appreciate that you stopped to share, Dolly. Blessings!
What a sweet story to cement the truth of Jesus-love first. Thanks for this simple truth to help us reset our days to the rhythm of Jesus! Happy to share!
Thank you, Jill. I needed the reminder myself. It may be a simple truth but one we can often overlook. May we reset our days to His rhythm which is much slower than our own & truly see those around us. Have a great Thursday!
What an amazing story that you wouldn’t have known! How many people are we affecting without knowing?
Sarah, you raise a most critical question – How many are suffering? How many can we affect without even knowing it? May we go out and about showing concern for those around us. Have a great day!