I think if our eyes could see the baseness of one another’s thoughts we’d hate the human race:
The lust and the pornography,
the hatred and evil,
and the prejudice and bigotry.
If we could somehow see through the filtered language, the words stopped on tongues and into the bedrooms, the Internet histories and into the inner secrets of one another, we would be simply disgusted. We wouldn’t be able to stand each other.
{It’s why therapy is hard because we don’t even want to see those same things in ourselves.}
What if we knew all of the past and the present wrongs of just the people who sat near us in the pew? What if we saw the future and all of the terrible things that each one of them would do?
It’s dreadful.
But God is there.
I also believe if we saw the extent of the aches of one another we would be destined toward love, compassion and kindness.
To see each person’s entire story? Their pains and griefs? What would that do to us? What if we could see the hurts and the joys of each of these people too, see past their filtered words and secrets kept and what if we learned their stories. Knowing someone’s story gives us perspective and fosters compassion.
Could we begin, perhaps, to love people differently?
Could we, maybe even, begin to foster an intense love for the human race? Children, orphans, the arrogant, the pampered, the needy, the broken, the full, everyone?
We might not walk past the homeless man on the pier on our way to meet friends for lunch. We’d invite him in, buy him a Coke and give him a view of the game on the TV above the bar. We’d ask him his name and if he has a family. We’d ask him to tell us his story because his story is more important than any wrongs he’s done or hurts he’s committed.
We also might not dismiss the arrogant rich and overfed among us. Each of us holds a story.
God sees all of it: the Internet histories and the addictions and the lusts. At the same time he sees our pains and our hurts. He sees the ways we’ve wronged and the ways we’ve been wronged.
And he does not hate us (although it seems as if he should.) He loves us.
Do you ask to hear the stories of others? Do you think knowing someone’s story helps to inspire compassion and grace? When has someone listened to your story?
I do believe ones story can inspire passion and grace – I believe it can also inspire bitterness and anger.
I love the way you write. The earthiness. The honesty. You are right, you know…if we could see the internet histories the wrongs people have done, what goes on behind closed doors…we would probably have a very different view of many people.
Thanks for the thoughts.
I can see that Mary. I hope, though, that bitterness isn’t the outcome of those people who honestly share their pasts and presents from a place of authenticity and grace. Thank you for your comment. =)
Oh, Sarah, I don’t think I made myself clear. When I commented, “I believe it can also inspire bitterness and anger.” I was referring to the person who owns the story, not one who writes and shares their story. If someone is brave and transparent enough to share their story, I don’t think (I certainly HOPE) it would not inspire bitterness and anger. I meant that it would be easy for me to use my personal story to make me bitter and angry, rather than use it as a means of growth and hopefully, inspiration for others. Does that make sense?
oh absolutely! thank you mary!! =)
You are welcome!
Our stories are all we have and they are sometimes the reason why we are believers now. They are important. I appreciate it when I can get the full story of someone’s life and so often when you realize they went through so much or they could do something or this happened it changes your whole perspective of them as a person. Perhaps it makes them more real?
I have been told by more than one my story had a great impact on them, so it really IS important to tell and share. We never know who it might minister to.
That’s wonderful Sharon!
Sweet Sarah- THANK YOU… This was more timely than you’ll ever know…
The truth of my “story” was revealed this week… It has been an emotional, devistating, yet VICTORIOUS revelation… Our God is a God of miracles – and I am living in one of those miracles right now!! I hide no more, instead, I stand tall in God’s FORGIVING GRACE!!!
If only we could love & forgive as unconditionally as He does. How beautiful would that be…
Keep writing & healing & searching, Sarah! God speaks through you each time you put your fingers to the keyboard. So many of us are walking a journey much like yours & hearing your words gives us HOPE & peace, knowing we’re not walking it alone…
With much love…
~Michelle
Oh yes, if only we could love as unconditionally as God. Sigh. Thank you so much for your comment! =)
Sarah,
What a beautiful post! I think it’s a good thing that we can’t “see the baseness of one another’s thoughts”. Not only would we have so much disgust for each other but we would also be in even more pain. Empathy is one thing but actually being able to feel someone else’s pain would be unbearable. It would also intensify our good feelings which, I believe, would make us too euphoric.
We definitely need to practice more empathy for one another. Did you read the experiment that shows that mice feel empathy for one another?
We, for sure, need to be more careful with one another’s feelings.
http://irishtripletsrecovery.blogspot.com/
I agree with you!! I think that more empathy in the world would be beautiful.
I think it takes real strength to take in someone else’s true story. I don’t know how often I’ve done it, and if so, how I liked hearing what the person had to share. I know how good it feels to cry those purging (usually unexpected) tears when unburdening oneself to a trusted friend. I think I would feel more compassion if the person is sharing something I’ve experienced myself. What’s interesting to me is: empathy mixed with mentoring. Saying to someone, I understand – but you still need to see or do this or that… That takes even more maturity than listening and keeping confidence, I think.
That’s an interesting perspective Karin. Thank you for sharing. =)
Thank you for speaking my heart so clearly. I always told my children, “Everyone has a story. No person, no family is really as it seems.” When we condemn, when we envy, we are shortchanging everyone, because we don’t know their story. If we are privileged enough to learn it, we will never see them in the same light again.
That’s beautiful Michelle!
Awesome post, it’s God’s way of getting my attention, not wanting to spend time with Him, so He leads me to your post. This message is near and dear to my heart, what would we think of someone’s past, future and present. For me when I hear this, I feel so much compassion, it makes me want to pray for them reach out help all I can. God gave me a compassionate heart because of my background how I grew up. I don’t share my story often but when I do it encourages others it’s why I blog a way for all those feeling, emotions to come out in writing, a way to bring hope and encouragement. I’m so thankful God loves us no matter what. Thanks I always love your posts.
Thank you Sarah!! And yes, God does love us no matter what. =)
I feel so privileged to get to listen to someone’s story. Recently He’s brought a couple of people into my life who also want to hear mine. Not used to this!
Thanks Sarah for your beautiful thoughts and heart. God bless you!