Now meet Suck-It-In Sally. She's pregnant, but sucking in her belly, either because she doesn't like it, or because she wants people to say things like, "Oh, my goodness, you look so tiny! You'd never know you were pregnant!"
And here is Stick-It-Out Sandy. She chose to stick her belly out as far as she could so that she would look as pregnant as she possibly could.
Okay, those of you who are thinking I've gone crazy, I'm not quite there yet... bear with me!
Looks- and perceptions- can be deceiving. I took all 3 of these pictures in the same minute of one another, because I have seen people do all of these things. And we, as observers, think differently when we see differently. "That woman must be so fit and athletic." "That woman must be really tired." "That woman must be carrying twins."
Oftentimes, this can be just as true for our spiritual lives as it is for our physical bodies. I recently returned from a time with other like-minded believers who also live overseas. In the last 6 years of living overseas, I have developed friendships with many of these people, and I enjoy catching up with them at meetings like this one. So many times throughout the week, one is asked, "how are you doing?" or "how have things been going?" and this year, I could honestly answer that I am happy, at a good place in life, and things are going well. But, it is really easy to put on a mask and give an easy, albeit untruthful, answer. I've done it! I've gone to similar meetings when was in a TERRIBLE place. Hating marriage. Hating India. Hating feeling unsuccessful. Hating... well, let's just say that not all of my days here have been peachy!
What I'm getting at is this. We can look at someone and think something about them. "She's doing such great work where she is at." "Her kids are so calmed and well-behaved." "She's so pretty." "Her house is always clean." But my challenge to you is to get real with her- really get in her life. My most valued friendships are with those few friends who, instead of saying "how are you?", ask me things like, "how's marriage?", "how have your quiet times been?", "how are you doing with trusting others?" They have invested enough time to know what to ask me, and they aren't afraid to do so. I LOVE IT! I had a sweet friend ask me recently what Kyle and I do together for fun, and I told her I couldn't really think of anything. Then, she told me I needed to talk to him about that, and I did because she encouraged me to! That's a true friend! I'm thankful for friends who have dug deep in my messiness to love me and help me grow closer to Jesus.
Don't assume someone is okay, even if they say there are. Get to know where they are really at, probing if needed, love them where they are, and encourage them in their walk with God. And be thankful to God when He puts others in your life who will do the same to you!
