Love Reaches Out

Before I knew it, he was standing before me, smiling. I couldn’t speak, I was overwhelmed by his presence. I forgot about all of those bags I had been carrying, all of the bags I had been focused on, everything I thought was wrong, it was all gone and I stood there alone with Him.

I always envisioned myself looking down, being too ashamed to look Him in the face, feeling too unworthy, but none of that was happening now. Tears were running down my cheeks and I couldn’t stop smiling, I started to laugh a nervous laugh, and then he started to laugh.

“I told you it would be okay, didn’t I?” I nodded yes. Still unable to move, or maybe unwilling to move, I just finally whispered, “yes, you did.”

Then to my relief, he gently took the bags out of my hands and said, “Lets sit down and talk about these, just you and me, you can tell me whatever you want, and it will stay right here.” I looked at the hard stone floor and said, “okay, but here?” He chuckled, and suddenly we were on a soft, beautiful green riverbank on a blanket, as though we were on a picnic.

I couldn’t help but start laughing as I looked around, “This is Lent??” I said. “I’m nothing if not merciful.” He winked. “Besides, I do my best storytelling outside.”

With that he reached for the first bag.

For your personal reflection: Can you imagine encountering Jesus? What do you think that would look like? How do you think it would feel? Do you think Jesus would be happy to see you? Start thinking of what would be in your bags.