"I Know You"
“Oh no!!! Who has done this to you! Who has terribly abused you, beating you up, leaving you lay in this ditch along life’s road? Who, oh, who has left you this way? Almost naked, leaving exposed what was once a beautiful being, now so marred and scarred, that you are desperately trying to cover with a mask of indifference? So broken, yet so tough, a wall built so high and thick within you, hoping it will protect you, so you never feel pain again. But that wall doesn’t work, does it? For every time someone passes by and looks at you with disgust—you start to hurt all over again and oh, get very angry, for they don't know, do they? Sometimes there comes a smile, but you don't trust those pretentious smiles. That smile justs want to lure you into more suffering and abuse, more pain. A smile on the face of a person who only wants to take advantage of how defenseless and vulnerable you are. (sighs) Oh who, oh who has done this to you?
I don’t know if you can trust me, I don’t blame you if you cannot----But I know of an Innkeeper very close by. He knows exactly what to do to help you, to treat you and heal every wound you have. Can I take you to His waiting arms? Oh no, not the kind of arms and hands that have done this to you—but invisible arms that wrap you first with accepting, understanding love. For you see, He has eyes that will look past all that screams defiance, rage and anger. He sees why your wounds are so infected and seeping over into the rest of your being. He has infinite Wisdom that knows exactly what to do and He knows what to say that will give you some new Knowledge about who you really are. Knowledge that will reveal His plans for you and restore you once more to where you were--before ‘they did this to you.’
Will you allow me to take you from this ditch—so He can take you where eagles fly, where hinds feet run and play on mountains high, where you can see and know ‘WHY’ and be free to trust and love again?
Can I help you? No dear one, there is no catch, no offering you must do—except to take one last chance on hope and trust—and believe in what this Innkeeper can do for you. Will you come?”
The Samaritan continues to stand by patiently, with accepting love, hoping, praying he will see a hand reaching up and out to him.
What the Samaritan now says to YOU.
“See that person by the side of life’s road? Yeah, the one that disgusts you, who smells sickening, who repulses you by their talk and lifestyle? Yes, those people, but do you really SEE them?
Please stop for just a moment and see the ‘wounded man lying in the ditch—your brother—your sister—or Christ Himself. See how they have been wounded by life or others, maybe even by your looks and remarks. See with eyes of understanding, compassion, love and mercy. Please for the love of Jesus—do not show them a disgusted look!! Remember what Jesus looked like after He was scourged and whipped—just for you? Remember? What they did to Him---disgusted and angered you!!!
You were not there to help Him in His hour of need or to take Him off the Cross—but you are here now. Looking at someone who has been scourged by life and left hanging on their cross. Reach out to them as Jesus would, as I did and show them the Innkeeper’s love. Did He not say, “What so ever you do to the least of these, you do unto Me.”
Now my brother, my sister What will you do?
(Some symptoms you will see of deep wounds, and a suffering soul. Promiscuity, obesity, addictions, hoarding, extreme makeup, tattoos, piercings, lack of personal hygiene, faces that are hard and indifferent, dull and sad--these are just some, some are more hidden.)
Here are some simple suggestions to consider. Take notice of them with a sincere smile; say something to them that says—I like what you have done with—whatever style they are using to attempt to be someone by their hair, makeup, clothing, etc. Ask the Holy Spirit to point out to you an area that you can give a sincere compliment about. Find an area of commonness that you can connect with them, for just a moment in time, like the weather! Everyone can talk about the weather.
Or, try this “wow, you have a great character face—I bet you have a lot of stories to share. Then wait for their reply. A reply will come, for they are starved for recognition. They need validation that "I am", for acceptance and the knowledge that you see them as a person. But most of all SEE THEM and give them a positive look and wish them a “good day and I hope you are okay.”