Something Daryl and I learned is that most people are underestimated. For example, Daryl went on a campout with some men and boys. He knew most of the men there, and considered some of them to be okay, but a bit shallow. As they sat around a campfire and shared things about themselves, he realized that some of the men he thought to be shallow were men who had been through some deep troubles, or had served as missionaries. Their lives had depth. He realized that they were much deeper spiritually than he thought. He had underestimated them.
It’s an easy mistake to make. We have surface relationships with people, and fail to take time for deeper conversations, in which we learn more about the real lives of people we come in contact with. Sometimes, just one or two questions showing sincere interest will open up a person to share themselves.
Since that time, I have tried not to underestimate people as much. Everyone has a story. Everyone needs someone to show a sincere interest in them, and to have the Love of the Lord expressed to them. Most always, I’m the one who walks away encouraged and awed by God’s work in others.
2 comments:
Sometimes, it's not the people who are shallow, it's the conversations we have had with them that are shallow (which may make us appear shallow to them, in return).
Good observation!
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