tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post7714341454744372605..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Eyes and EarsTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-47653997491507296132009-07-30T22:36:31.488-05:002009-07-30T22:36:31.488-05:00As always, Genevieve, your gentleness and compassi...As always, Genevieve, your gentleness and compassion shine through your words. It is overwhelming to consider how many people travel though life feeling invisible--particularly those subjected to surface judgments based on their identities and appearances.<br /><br />Speaking of the Divine Miss M, she told a story years (and years) ago at a concert I attended. I've never forgot it. <br /><br />Walking in lower Manhattan, she crossed paths with a homeless woman who'd plastered a fried egg on her forehead, as if it were a little hat. Bette lowered her eyes to avoid looking at the lady.<br /><br />As she walked on, she silently prayed, "Oh God, please don't let me become someone who walks around with an egg on my head." She thought about it a bit more and added, "But if I do, please don't let people stare." She thought some more and prayed, "But if they do stare, please help me not to notice."<br /><br />After the laughter died down, in true Miss M fashion, Bette said, "Because, if you think about it, we ALL walk around with fried eggs on our heads."<br /><br />A lot of us ignore people with fried eggs on their heads, never realizing we're wearing one, too. We stare at them, but never see them. We hear their rambles, but never listen to their pain. As Annette says above, we who know God's grace and mercy are charged to see and listen to others, offering them love we'd yearn to receive if we were they. Because we're not invisible to God, no one should be invisible to us.<br /><br />Thank you so much for your comments, Genevieve. You are truly a blessing to us all.<br /><br />Peace and joy,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-69854515798499422102009-07-30T18:13:31.827-05:002009-07-30T18:13:31.827-05:00Oh, I forgot. The song Miss M sang was beautiful a...Oh, I forgot. The song Miss M sang was beautiful and right on.genevievehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041499205158357183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-16959710484515031182009-07-30T18:10:30.911-05:002009-07-30T18:10:30.911-05:00A beautiful post, Tim. I was praying this afternoo...A beautiful post, Tim. I was praying this afternoon remembering the folks who are shunted aside because of who they are. I was overcome a couple of times. I remembered that Jesus loves them and sees how valuable they are in His sight.genevievehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041499205158357183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-43201921774920770642009-07-30T17:46:42.498-05:002009-07-30T17:46:42.498-05:00What an excellent point, Annette!
As reflections...What an excellent point, Annette! <br /><br />As reflections of God, we must always mirror His watchfulness and attentiveness to others. We need to hone our sensitivities to see and hear them at all times. <br /><br />And here's the real beauty in this: if we notice and listen to them, they'll look beyond us to see God's presence in their lives and hear His loving voice. Jesus said when others see our goodness, they'll glorify our Father in heaven. <br /><br />It's a mystery that overwhelms me. Our mirror-image of our Maker transforms us into windows through which others find Him. Reaching out to those struggling with cellophane crises makes us transparent!<br /><br />How blessed we are to be able to do this. And what a blessing you are to remind us of it.<br /><br />Peace,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-6456647743572550662009-07-30T15:05:28.324-05:002009-07-30T15:05:28.324-05:00I love this post! It makes me want to be kinder an...I love this post! It makes me want to be kinder and more aware of how I treat others. <br /><br />You're right, God is always mindful of us, and he expects no less in return to our brothers and sisters "as ye have done until the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me" <br /><br />Thank you for the "happy" today!Annettenoreply@blogger.com