Do you notice there is always a change of perspective when you actually take the time to listen and hear someone's story.
Recently, I met a lady named Precilla in a park. She had just asked a simple question about the area. Which turned into a 30 minute conversation about her life, my life and faith. She grew up in Perth, and had lived in Switzerland for 7 years, gotten married and had a little girl named Leena! And she didn't know anyone in Melbourne. Or anything about the area. Hense her first question. I walked away feeling happy at how open she was to talk about life, the things she has been through and her perspective on faith. And she was encouraged that i took time our of my day to have a simple conversation with a stranger. Blessed to be a blessing we are!
We all have a story.
Whether it's from the last hour, or the last year, we all have different situations, circumstances that make us who we are today. The way we deal with things, the way we perceive things, the way we think about things. Everything is understood in our own ways because we are all different.
Sometimes we find people that are the same in the way we think. I guess it can help to have people we relate to on different levels. Being honest and open about issues, and our own perspective can grow and shape others too.
I have a friend, we both think a lot. We both hold onto the past (in a good way) because we find we care, and we both hold onto hope. But it can so be damaging. We have to really work through and give God how we think, our mistakes, thoughts and let Him constantly take our heart and transform our minds. I guess its easy to hold onto something we never want to let go. But in order for God to work in our life in His full potential, we have to surrender not only our past but our future. Which can be scary, but what better way to live life with the creator and author of the world, writing your story. I know I'm afraid of it, change. You don't know where life is going to take you. What challenges you may face. That's part of the adventure!
One couple came into my work the other day, they seemed lovely to begin with, in love and very much happy. As I was preparing their meals, the lady went and looked around in the book store and left her husband for no longer then 10 minutes. During this time I had placed their meals on their table. He then became agitated that his wife wasn't there and that her meal was getting cold. He then started talking to himself and complaining very loud and with a lot of anger about how His wife was an idiot.
I went from feeling bad for him that his wife left him at the lunch table, to hold on buddy that's a little harsh.
Now this lady had a lot of patience.
As she came back, he was yelling at her telling her that the meal was getting cold and he had finished his etc etc...
She just started talking about something else and ignoring his anger. Which I found strange.
though it started to make a little more sense after a while. Another lady came to.join them and for a good 40 minutes these two ladies were talking about life, faith and families, meanwhile her husband was raging at them, disagreeing, telling them they are wrong, that they are stupid etc..
Now if you know me, I have patience but he was talking to his wife and this lady like they were worthless. I was about ready to give him a piece of my mind. Instead, I offered him a free drink, and just for a second all that frustration and anger had gone and he had a smile on his face.
As soon as he had his drink, he went back to this angry man.
Obviously by this point in time, I realised he was obviously battling some demons of his own,and his mind was in two worlds.
Anyway after a long 40 minutes, He walked out.
his wife then turned to me and said "Don't worry too much, we think he needs to be medicated, but we are just praying. He has his good moments. Just keep us in your prayers!"
With a tear in my eye, I just wanted to hug this woman. When she committed to her marriage she had no idea what kind of life it would hold, that her love of her life would get sick and treat her that way. Yet all she did was constantly love him, day in and out. What I saw that day was the pure love of God at work.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
All I could say to her was how you could see the love of God through her. The way she endured and endures trials everyday, her heart for her husband even though his is so broken, and the strength she has to love him constantly. It was beautiful.
Take time for people. You don't know what life will hold, the way you will grow, go and see things.
Love people, even when you don't want to or have given you no reason to, because even if they turn around and slap you in the face- you have no idea what battles they are facing.
Anyway... enough from the thoughts of my brain.
Peace out readers, and God bless xx
Im the kind of person who can be brutally honest, sometimes a little too much
