Simple Faith - Me, Too

Simple Faith– Me Too

My dad is the only person I know who, this day in age, goes down to the
local coffee shop each Wednesday morning and sits at his usual table with four
or five other men until nearly lunchtime. Each Wednesday, the owner expectantly
sets up the table with white mugs and fills each one up with black regular
coffee that could very well be brewed from the same Folger’s canister that
resides in our kitchen cupboard. My dad doesn’t go to the café for the coffee,
he goes for the conversation. Stories are unraveled, jokes are told, the latest
household fix-up or car trouble is shared and tried and true suggestions are
given...and for a few quiet moments, each week, vulnerability joins the table:
empathy and silent prayers for loved ones in need are spoken and just for a
moment, each man is remembering when they needed prayer. 
Although my dad is retired, the brotherhood that he has formed with this
group of men emanates a basic human need for
camaraderie.

 In Luke 24, Jesus walks, unrecognized, with the apostles as they tell Him about the resurrection. After patiently listening, Jesus reveals himself and his wounds, “39 Look at my hands; look at my feet - it's really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this. 40 As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true.” (The Message) Yet, Jesus did not leave them nor did He scorn them for their disbelief, but continued to walk and talk with them. This is how Jesus leads. He tells us His stories of great tragedy, loss, pain and despair and listens with humility because He is like us.  

Take the time to listen to someone’s story and be courageous enough to admit that you, too, have gone through agony, defeat and sadness. Then, tell your own story. Reveal the damage life has incurred and you may hear two simple words, “Me, too”.  Live this every day, remembering that we are all God’s children, and like Jesus, we have all suffered and all have a basic need for encouragement and validation.

God is with you.