A Tender Embrace
A Tender Embrace (6/18/2018)
Walking from my car to where I work at Central Clinic, I ran into a gentleman carrying his young girl – Maybe 4 years old.
The girl had her head gently resting on her dads shoulder. It was a loving embrace. This was what I first noticed – how tender it was.
I walked with him as we crossed MLK drive. It is an awful intersection to cross and I had this internal sense that I needed to be protective of them as well as myself.
That tender embrace – the love they showed each... other is something that needs to be protected. The loving embrace of a child to a parent must be protected and honored.
We reached the other side and I said to him, “Happy belated Father’s Day.”
He said, “Thanks man.” There was a brief pause and he added – “Ya know, you’re the first person to say that to me in 2 days, thank you.”
I said, “Absolutely, my gift to you.”
I walked on my path with emotions surging and tears beginning to emerge.
How can it be that what I witnessed wasn’t recognized by anyone in his life? Maybe he’s made mistakes, who knows. Maybe he’s alienated himself. I don’t know.
I do know how much we all need validation that we are doing the best we can.
The Holy Spirit gave me an incredible gift this morning – the opportunity – a spontaneous action – of recognizing another person. I am grateful. Most of us are hurting - some place in our life – a wound we bare, a cross we carry. Maybe it is a day that we just don’t feel particularly confident or a sense of peace.
We don’t often talk to each other about it. This is a lonely place….an isolated place.
The movement of the Holy Spirit is often in the least suspecting moments. It catches us off guard.
Often I will ignore it but I’m trying to be more attentive – and listen to where that Wind is pushing me…..maybe who it is moving me towards.
It usually doesn’t take more than an acknowledgement – hello, nice to see you, or quietly listening.
It was quite a journey this morning…….
Peace be with you all
Walking from my car to where I work at Central Clinic, I ran into a gentleman carrying his young girl – Maybe 4 years old.
The girl had her head gently resting on her dads shoulder. It was a loving embrace. This was what I first noticed – how tender it was.
I walked with him as we crossed MLK drive. It is an awful intersection to cross and I had this internal sense that I needed to be protective of them as well as myself.
That tender embrace – the love they showed each... other is something that needs to be protected. The loving embrace of a child to a parent must be protected and honored.
We reached the other side and I said to him, “Happy belated Father’s Day.”
He said, “Thanks man.” There was a brief pause and he added – “Ya know, you’re the first person to say that to me in 2 days, thank you.”
I said, “Absolutely, my gift to you.”
I walked on my path with emotions surging and tears beginning to emerge.
How can it be that what I witnessed wasn’t recognized by anyone in his life? Maybe he’s made mistakes, who knows. Maybe he’s alienated himself. I don’t know.
I do know how much we all need validation that we are doing the best we can.
The Holy Spirit gave me an incredible gift this morning – the opportunity – a spontaneous action – of recognizing another person. I am grateful. Most of us are hurting - some place in our life – a wound we bare, a cross we carry. Maybe it is a day that we just don’t feel particularly confident or a sense of peace.
We don’t often talk to each other about it. This is a lonely place….an isolated place.
The movement of the Holy Spirit is often in the least suspecting moments. It catches us off guard.
Often I will ignore it but I’m trying to be more attentive – and listen to where that Wind is pushing me…..maybe who it is moving me towards.
It usually doesn’t take more than an acknowledgement – hello, nice to see you, or quietly listening.
It was quite a journey this morning…….
Peace be with you all
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