Someone to Tell (05/17/2024)

We started our conversation in the usual way, inquiries of how one another was doing. I could tell, though, that she had something she wanted to share. And shortly after the familiar and polite exchange, she opened up and freely shared what she’d been holding for just the right moment. She had begun her journey anew. She shared how it came to be, how it started with gratitude, and then a conversation with another about living the faith, and then surrender on her own part. For an hour she shared, smiling the whole time. I listened. Occasionally I would interject something, but mostly, I just listened. As our time drew to an end, I got up to leave. She told me, “I so needed to share this out loud, but I couldn’t with just anyone. I knew you were someone I could tell.”

I must admit her final statement filled me with joy. She knew somehow of my faith and of the importance of my spiritual journey to me. She deemed me one who would not only listen but would understand the joy in her re-connection with the LORD. Her sharing stimulated my own joy in the journey. How I wish we found more opportunities to share our journey with one another. It is one of the ironies of faith; sharing one’s faith doesn’t diminish it or deplete it, but rather multiplies it, enhances it, and deepens it.

Then this morning, as I read the gospel from John 21 where Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”, I was struck by the gift that Jesus gave to Peter in those questions. Jesus gave Peter three opportunities to speak His love, to share it out loud. And with each, his love of Christ deepened, concretized, transformed him.

Our faith isn’t private. It was always meant to be shared openly, freely, frequently. As our most precious possession, it should be forefront always, it should be lived out loud and acknowledged. We should acknowledge that it is making us, step by step, as we journey in it.

I am blessed to have this blog, this opportunity daily to share a bit of the journey, to articulate what I am learning and who I am becoming. I am always searching for other venues in which to share my faith. With whom can I share the details of my journey? With whom can I raise the questions that arise? With whom can I celebrate the moments of discovery?

Along the way I have found the blessings in group faith activities such as bible study, prayer groups, even grief support within a spiritual environment. We must ask ourselves what opportunities are available to us that could help grow our faith by encouraging us to share our faith with others?

And hopefully somewhere along the path, we will all realize that all times and all places are good times and good places to share our faith in and love for our LORD.

Love you; mean it. Now, then, always.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.