Connection

What is it about dealing with pain in our lives that causes us to withdraw from others when that is the time that we need connection the most? We all have pain, insecurities and imperfections, but very often we think God expects us to deal with our stuff on our own. He created us to be in community with others, to connect on a deep level. He uses us in other’s lives to bring healing and comfort.

A friend of mine recently reminded me that we all need connection. We all long for that. Some people have a strange way of communicating that, but facts are facts. For me, keeping that in mind helps me to be more genuine with others, and helps me take the risk of reaching out. When I think about Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus, I realize that it is quite possible that everyone else didn’t see Zacchaeus’ need for connection, because he was causing others so much pain. He stole money from others deceptively and probably pretty arrogantly. But, he was curious, he was curious about this man/God that everyone was talking about. Zacchaeus had a need for healing from his pain and Jesus saw that. Jesus asked him if he could eat with him and with eating, as we all know, comes community, comes conversation and connection. That connection changed Zacchaeus’ life.

I recently wrote a letter to my oldest child as she goes off to her first year of college and in it I shared my dreams for her. I asked her to notice those around her who are hurting, and respond with kindness. I was inspired by a letter that Jen Hatmaker wrote to her kids that she shared in her book For The Love. Are we noticing those that are hurting around us and just as important, are we letting others notice us when we are hurting?