Christian Counseling & Educational Services

The ride home from town was so wonderful! Everything looked sharp and colorful. People were smiling. Leaves floated in the wind. The world was so much more enjoyable once a pair of glasses corrected my vision. You see, I didn’t realize what I was missing until my eyes were opened to a new way of looking at the world.

In life, we often settle for what we are able to deal with rather than pursuing the best. We keep our eyes on the mundane details of life and forget to focus on the eternal destination. We often go about our lives ignoring the fact that Jesus came to give us abundant life–one overflowing with joy, peace, love, compassion, and hope that begins right here and now in this life.

As I sorted through the mail the other day, a pretty pink envelope stood out from the brightly colored advertisements trying to grab my attention. Immediately I recognized the handwriting and the warmth of friendship swept over me. Inside there was a lovely card and a brief handwritten note that held a large message of love and appreciation. It came at a time when I needed a word of encouragement.

“I already pulled the files for the clients who are coming in today, Dr. Ann.�

“Thanks, Jane. So, who are we seeing today?�

“Well, we have a new client coming in this morning, but when I got his initial information over the phone, I had trouble determining the billing address. It seems his home was under siege, and his business completely wiped out. This guy really has problems! All 10 of his children were killed in a mass tragic accident, and now his own health is deteriorating. The only place he finds relief is on top of an ash heap.�

“Has he ever seen anyone for counseling before?� Ann asked.

“He told me that he was part of some group therapy session with three other guys,â€? Jane replied, “but it wasn’t really helpful to him at all.”

When the phone rang Wednesday I wasn’t prepared for the news I was about to hear. “I just called to tell you that Delphine passed away last night,� the voice said. My friend was nearly 80 years old so her death shouldn’t have come as such a shock, but it did. She hadn’t been well for years, but that never stopped her. She kept right on going and she loved life to the fullest. Her heart for the Lord and for others was always finding a way to do or say something kind. And her sense of humor kept me laughing.

Eight- year-old Natalie was visiting a church she’d never been in before, meeting people she’d never seen before when after the worship service she turned around and said to the girl behind her, “Hi, my name is Natalie. What’s yours? . . . Want to be friends?� The little girl nodded and they were friends, talking and sharing the moment.

You’ve heard the saying, “Talking is sharing. Listening is caring,� haven’t you? I saw it on a sign in front of a church a couple of years ago, and it caught my eye. In the last few weeks, I’ve seen it again several times. I’m not sure who first said it, but it really is true.