“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13
Rewind 9 years, I was 37 weeks pregnant with my youngest son and returned home one cold evening to find my dog Oscar had devoured an entire bag of dark chocolate chips. Dark chocolate, which I don’t even enjoy, but had for a special food day at work, also more toxic to dogs—an entire bag, gone! Inside the tummy of my 15 lb. dog. How long ago had he eaten them, I wasn’t sure. Would he survive that large dark chocolate dose, I didn’t know. It was late, I had a small child to get to bed, work tomorrow, and I was on the verge of another baby coming. I was tired and scared. I called the emergency vet and they said he should be seen, so I took what felt like the longest drive ever into town to see if I was going to lose one of my loves.
As I drove, I thought, who may have had this experience that could encourage me and one person came to my mind. I worked with her and she loved animals. She had endured many losses related to pets and her tender heart remained. As we spoke, she had not had this experience before, there were not any words to say, “This will be ok,” because she really didn’t know. I pulled in, got my dog inside and they took him back. I looked at the woman at the front desk, asked her how long she thought I had from his consumption to a worst case scenario and she thought I may have reached it. I sat down in a weary heap, alone and cried. See, there was no one to blame but me, I had left that bag of chips in a place he could reach them, a place I would remember them the next day. I started to come to the realization I may be the cause of this and I may not bring him home. Suddenly, the door opened and my friend walked in. She had hours before having to head into work and she traveled a good 20-30 minutes, just to sit with me, all that she could offer. She understood.
Understanding, someone who sees you and understands you is such a gift. I’ve never felt more seen by God than when He sends someone who shows understanding for my circumstances. It is as if He, Himself shows up in human form to sit with me and I feel less alone.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28
This week, I had experiences that helped me have a deeper understanding of myself, my children, my extended family, and my friends. I realized how far understanding will go if we just allow ourselves to see another side of a picture and not just our own.
While I could tell story after story of times when amazing people have shown me tremendous understanding and turned my whole world around in an instant. I had to reflect to make sure I was embracing the beauty of “understanding.” I think each week as I sit to write these messages, I vulnerably enter a place of openness in an attempt to understand what you may be going through and that my openness will help you feel more “seen.” But sometimes, right under my nose, there may be someone that needs understanding and it may take me just a minute to figure it out. Sometimes it is even a bit hidden and while frustration builds as to that particular individual’s behavior, eventually a moment comes when I realize, I understand now! Soon after forgiveness seems to follow and at times I realize my need to ask for forgiveness that I didn’t understand but I do now.
On that night when my friend so beautifully showed what understanding is all about, I started to feel less alone and before I knew it, Oscar came out from the back. He had successfully gotten all of the ick out of him and we were heading home. I couldn’t believe it! I walked away much different that night. I was grateful for his life, I learned a valuable lesson in placement of food, and I learned what it means to be a great friend. One who loves at all times, even the inconvenient ones. I sure hope I am becoming more like that every day.
“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17
This week, challenge yourself to see someone that frustrates you or is in pain in a new way. Ask God to help you really see so that you may better understand.
Let’s be better together,
Julie
Father, Today I Surrender:
My Understanding
Show me the next step I should take.