I don’t believe in coincidences. As a Christ follower, I believe that everything happens for a reason, whether for some very explicit, very evident purpose, or sometimes for some effect that’s not as easily identifiable; or sometimes as a small stepping stone towards something much more significant.
Tonight I ran across the following post on LinkedIn (of all places to find a pretty impressive nugget of advice), and it was absolutely perfect for painting the picture of something less than breezy I’m going through currently with someone. As before, I don’t believe in coincidences, so I’m left to resolve that I was placed in the right moment to see this, reflect on it, and draw wisdom from it. I’m far from blameless in this life, but it’s so incredibly encouraging to think that Christ is loving enough to meet us where we are, and caring enough to not just be there but to be present.
This profound post (for the Keef in this moment), shared by a nice gentleman I don’t even know, helped me to remember something important – the concept of true empathy. The current situation of mine that I alluded to before, is full of my feelings and someone else’s, and as a result it’s very easy to raise a barrier of judgment around one’s heart to protect it from (continued/future) hurt. But it’s critical to take a moment and put oneself in the shoes of others, to really show them a love and understanding that can lift them up or keep them standing. I’m very much guilty of not doing that sufficiently enough in my daily life, and I feel humbled and blessed to have the message find me where I am, in all of my stubbornness and distraction. God is amazing.