Seeing Jesus

Countless sermons, songs and stories have been written on this subject. If Jesus were here, what would He look like? What would you say? How would you respond? Would you even notice?

Let me share with you a recent experience of my own.

One night last week, after I put the children down for the night I had a difficult conversation with a family member on the declining state of my dad's health. Typically, I receive news like this with a realistic, but peaceful heart. For some reason, this night was a little bit different. After hanging up, being comfortable in the privacy of my own bedroom, I gave into the desire to have a solid crying session. I was allowing feelings of sadness wash over me and for a brief moment I thought to myself, "I don't know if I can handle this by myself!" About a second later I notice my son standing in the door to my bedroom, eyes glistening.

"Mom," he said in a quivering little voice, "I heard you crying..." (Now, in my defense, I really believed he was sleeping and normally would never cry in front of him.)

All I could do was hold my arms open and let him run into them. I explained to him immediately that he had done NOTHING wrong. I also thought it best to explain truthfully why I had been crying. I told him that I love my Dad very much just like he loves his Daddy very much and that I was sad because my dad is really sick and feels really crummy.

In response he just squeezed his little arms tighter around my neck. By this point, since I was no longer focusing on my own feelings, the crying had ebbed and we were just quietly sitting there in a tight embrace. After a moment Michael said, "Mom, it will be okay. I'm sorry you're sad. I'm sorry Grandpa doesn't feel good. But you know what? You should just call him tomorrow. That will make you feel better. You know what else? I can make him a picture of things he loves. That will make you both feel better too."

"Buddy, I think you are exactly right. We should do both of those things tomorrow." At this point, we were still holding tightly on to each other. After a little longer we made the procession back to bed so Michael could go to sleep (for real this time.)

It wasn't until later that I realized what a coincidence it was that just as I was thinking I couldn't do this all by myself, in that exact moment, I was no longer by myself. I could see my little guy again standing in the doorway to my room with his hazel eyes brimming with tears. He had no idea what was wrong, just that he was hurting because someone he loved very much was hurting. His only heart's desire was to hug me and tell me it would all be okay.

In the infinite wisdom of a 4 year old he explained that showing love to someone else, just as receiving love, was the only sure way to make them feel better. He merely suggested to show my dad that he is loved and it would help everybody.

I whole heartedly believe that last week I saw Jesus. No, He wasn't on a grilled Cheesus sandwich. Nor was his face on a Wal-mart receipt. He was there in my room, with His arms of loving grace wrapped around me telling me it would be okay and that I wasn't alone.

Keep your eyes open to the possibility of catching a glimpse of the love of Christ this week. You may see Him rejoicing with a new mother the first time she holds her baby. Perhaps in the grace of a busy Twenty-something that takes time out of her day to have a cup of tea with her elderly neighbor. Maybe you will see His face when you allow somebody else to help you. Then again, it could be on a Wal-Mart receipt. I'm hoping it's the former.