Oh, so many stories to hear. . .

One of the great joys in serving the Church of Jesus is the opportunity that I have to serve members of the church communion in their home. I enjoy these visits for they give me the opportunity to dwell with the Body of Christ in a personal way. I have the chance to listen and to hear so much. 

Of course, each visit begins in a similar fashion. We begin by catching up. . . "How are you? How you are feeling?" But it isn't long before the sacredness of the visit takes over, and if you are not careful, you might just miss when God walks into the room. 

Hearing about the joy of the hummingbirds coming to the windows, or the pride in how a granddaughter comes to get a soda and sandwich often, those are more than just casual stories. They tell of a sacredness, a richness. They have a depth to them that speaks about how God is at work in the life of a family, and in that person, specifically. 

As I listen I have the chance to sit back and enjoy the blessing of just being present while hearing about the daily miracles that take place in someone else's life. Then, just as the story begins to take shape, God steps in and reminds all of us, that He was here the whole time just waiting for us to be still. 

It was God who brought the squirrel onto the porch. God moved that person to send the card of blessing to another friend who needed it. God nurtured the relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter. God fostered a home of peace where health might be failing but where God is present all the more as a resolute foundation. 

Healing flows in each story... if we take the time to dwell and to listen. 

J. Parker Vaughn said it this way: 

"We can remind the church that healing comes not through assent to a particular doctrine, but through the struggle and development of a caring relationship. We can model for the community of faith, a form of evangelism that strives to be responsive to the metaphor of the cross. As [and the church] we hold forth [this] good news for the church!"

Every time we come together, either as the church or as friends and family, we have the opportunity to continue in this work of listening and relationship building. It can be formal or informal--but it should always be done in Christ. So I wonder today, if God is asking you to dwell with someone, listen to someone's story, as a way to help them heal and be heard? 

What does that look like and I wonder how that might help healing come for you both?