The very first field placement I had as a social work student was visiting homes of lower-income families with 2 and 3-year-old children. Each week I brought a book or toy and modeled for the family how to interact with their children. The goal was to help families engage and enhance vocabulary skills needed to prepare for success in school. 

I went into each home with great enthusiasm and typically, I was greeted with such as well. To my surprise, however, there was one parent who greeted me week after week without expression or emotion. Despite my best efforts to be warm and friendly, she would hardly speak to me. While I felt discouraged by her cold behavior, I prayerfully remained consistent in my approach with them.

One day I was told that my visit had to be canceled because the child was ill and had to be hospitalized. Realizing how frightening the situation must have been for them, I felt prompted l to visit them in the hospital. His parents were speechless when they saw me. You see, they weren’t just another name or number to me. I saw them which they understood that day as they talked and I listened. 

Would you believe that following the visit, I saw the mother smile for the FIRST time after months of working together? She was eager to chat with me and learn what I had to share. When my placement finally ended that year, not only did she make great strides in engaging with her son, but she also had prepared a home-cooked meal and tearfully hugged me goodbye. What a turn of events that I was just filled with gratitude to the Lord!

It made me think about how many people there are in our lives that need to be steered in the right direction. As we interact with them, we realize that their thoughts, words, or actions do not line up with God’s Word. How many of us, when meeting them or just spending a brief period of time together, are tempted during those interactions to just beat them over the head with words of condemnation to set them straight? After all, they should just get it, right?? 

Jesus’ life on earth demonstrated that change in the heart begins with a relationship. He knew the kind of man Zaccheus was. Yet, we read how He wanted to have a meal with him. Jesus saw Zaccheus and Zaccheus felt loved. We read how his heart changed and Zaccheus went about his business the right way. Jesus also knew what kind of person the Samaritan woman was. Yet, we read how He sat by the well and conversed with her. Jesus saw the Samaritan woman and she felt loved. Her heart changed and many people came to know of His saving grace through her testimony. Jesus spent time with them. They trusted Him and they repented of their ways. 

Recognizing how the Lord and those He sent along my path have been loving with my weaknesses helps me appreciate how Romans 15 speaks to us about this matter: “… those who are mature in their faith … patiently embrace others in their immaturity. Our goal must be to empower others to do what is right and good for them, and to bring them into spiritual maturity.” (verses 1-2 TPT) “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (verses 5-6 NIV)

In a day and age when we can be quick to write each other off, may we instead invest in having relationships with one another and loving as Christ does. He will create the opportunity for us to speak the truth in love. Hearts will be changed and God alone will be glorified for such.
~Joyce

Photo Credit: Christina at wocintechchat on Unsplash