The Person God Sees

When I popped in on Mom K yesterday, she was lying in bed, holding her broken shoulder, gazing into space. No TV was on to mask the loneliness of the scene.
"Hi there!" I said, with forced cheeriness.
"Oh Vicky," she said, "I wasn't expecting anyone."
She didn't try to get up. Her arm was bothering her. So we talked. Well, mostly I talked and tried to come up with a topic that would capture her interest, take her mind off the pain, make the room seem less like a prison and more like a home.

I have never been good at small talk. I like to discuss the things that we are warned never to discuss- religion, and politics. Usually, even when I try to avoid those subjects, that is where we end up. I learned that Mom K's mother had been devoutly religious. I hadn't known that. I also learned some things I don't think her own son knows.

"Some things are better left not knowing," she told me.
"Perhaps," I said, "Unless those things can be used to help teach others what not to do."
"Yes," she agreed.

Case in point, look at all the horrific stories in the Bible, the sinful acts that humans are capable of. It is enough to turn one off of the human race forever. It is a wonder God stuck with us. Yet, change is possible. We can be the person God sees in us. There are many examples of that in the Bible as well- Abraham, Moses, Jacob, David, Peter, Paul....All fell short of God's expectations at times, yet all were redeemed by the end of their lives and became brave, righteous, and spirit-led. Everyone fails, but praise God, everyone can be restored.

I noticed Mom K had her Bible right next to her, on the little end table. She was looking sleepy-eyed. As I tip toed out, I was less worried than when I'd first walked in, as I glanced at the Book, the legacy her devout mother had left her.

Acts 16:25-33 (NIV)
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. [26] Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. [27] The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. [28] But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” [29] The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. [30] He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [31] They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved---you and your household.” [32] Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. [33] At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.





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