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By the time I even thought about starting a blog, I was behind. Like way behind on all things regarding the internet and social media.

I was fairly new to Facebook and not yet on twitter. I had always been so skeptical of social media which kept me from jumping in. I am still not on instagram or pinterest. Beats me how I ended up in Google circles and so I will apologize right now to people whom I have not added to my circles. I still am not quite sure just how to go about it. Just being honest.

I started blogging and no one knew I was doing it. I didn’t know about linkups and am not sure how I discovered them. Best way for me to explain it is like this …

If I were Hester Prynne of the Scarlet Letter, the letters I would be displaying would be:

  • “C” for chicken
  • “I” for insecure or introvert (take your pick)
  • “W” for wallflower as I always wait to be asked šŸ™‚

You get the point.

So I began to discover linkups and joined in hesitantly, not knowing what to expect. I waited a long time before I even began to leave comments as I was unsure why anyone would want to hear what I thought. Some advised me to allow comments on my own blog as it would be fun to be interactive. Some told me to disable comments as people would be mean and nasty.

Then I discovered reviewing books and book launches and an online Bible Study group. And here is what I am learning about it all –

There is a whole community of people and encouragers waiting out there. I found community and friends, none of whom I have ever met face to face. None have been mean and nasty. I have found authenticity which has blessed me deeply.

A funny thing happened to me this morning. I received a phone call from a face to face friend where contact had not been recent. Nothing happened other than a parting of ways which life can bring at times. I would have been thrilled to converse and share with this friend but as soon as she heard my voice she remarked, “Oh. I called you by mistake.”

I had not been thought of or called to have conversation. I was a mistake. Rejection is my Achilles’ heel and the enemy knows it. So does my Lord who quickly moved to be sure the arrow did not pierce.

Within minutes, I received a friend request from a woman whose blog I read. There on the screen in front of me, she was requesting me. I hit confirmed but then sent a message thanking her for blessing me with the request. And her response?

“I’ve seen your name around so much, and read your words, and it occurred to me this morning – why are we not fb friends?”

In that split second, I realized the joy which comes from being seen.

And the teachable moment unfolded …..

Jesus saw those who were around Him. The very people who others would walk quickly passed, He slowed down to see them. The blind may not have seen Him at first but they were made aware that they, indeed, were seen by Him. The deaf, the lame, the broken, the lepers, the hungry, the lonely, the outcasts – all of them were seen. Their physical healing became secondary to their interaction with Christ. They knew they were not invisible to Jesus …

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36, NLT)

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14, NLT)

When Jesus “saw”, it was for the purpose of action and reaction to the needs and hurts of those He saw.

May we become a people who see others. May we not term people as “mistakes” but realize the potential, the divine appointment, in every interaction. May we part ways leaving people affirmed and noticed and grateful to have been in our company.

May we be like Jesus and see.

And may we be moved with compassion.

 

Today I am joining … Unite and Testimony Tues. and Titus 2 Tues. and Teaching What Is Good and Tell Me A Story .