You don't know me
So you saw me in the gym yesterday. I did not see you or make eye contact.
You might assume many things from that encounter. I could be self-absorbed, or shy or troubled by my day. But you have no idea, really, what or why or when.
You saw me at Kroger today. I shop in the health food section. You see that I buy almond milk and gluten free crackers. Since it is more expensive, you might assume that I follow the latest trends just like those people you detest. You have no idea that I have Celiac disease and dairy allergies.
You saw me at the liquor store last weekend. Yes, I loaded up. Vodka, Gin, Bourbon and Vermouth. You might conclude I am an alcoholic with a terrible life. You have no idea that I am buying extra for a family party.
You saw me at the park today. I was in a beautiful blue convertible. You might decide I am vain, or obsessed with things to impress and distract. You have no idea that I have waited over 20 years for that car, and I raised 5 children on my paycheck alone - and still pay alimony to their mother every damn month.
You ask me where I go to church. I tell you I don't go anywhere - and you might feel either superior or sad - depending on your own heart. You have no idea of the scars from past churches, cult leaders and heresies believed by a young and trusting heart.
You saw the girl at the coffee shop with way too many tattoos and piercings. Her hair is just a bit unkempt and she makes you feel a little uncomfortable - you know, people like that. You have no idea that her step-father molested her for years - beginning when she was only 5.
You see anybody different from you and feel a bit uneasy. You see someone different and you cannot understand why they are who they are.
So when you see me - anywhere or anytime - please remember this. You do not know me. When you see anyone, anywhere - even a friend or old lover - remember the mystery of the human heart and the fact that people do change over time. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
Remember Jesus, King Solomon, Ghandi and Martin Luther King - all were humble men. They knew their own heart and what it was capable of birthing. They knew the best, the worst. They knew of broken promises and failed resurrections. Turnarounds that did not - and rebirths tragically still borne. Leaving only sorrow and hollow hearts behind them.
Remember, you do not know me. Even if you tried, you could not. Because I and you and everyone has secret rooms - safely hidden away in those recesses of the heart no one knows. I can't tell you, because I do not fully know. Even if I did, the wounds go too deep to ever trust any other human with such dark sorrows.
Remember, you do not know your friends, your neighbors, and you sure as hell do not know your enemies. If you took the time to stop, to think, to care about the struggles of others different from you - you might just realize the greatest truth of all.
You do not know yourself.
For if you did, you would know how dark and ever-changing is the human heart. You would admit to all of the times you fell short, lost your temper, or were just too damn tired to do the right thing.
If you did this, if you knew this, if you remember this - everything changes. You, your family, your workplace - and most importantly - the whole damn world.
dg
8/7/2016
You might assume many things from that encounter. I could be self-absorbed, or shy or troubled by my day. But you have no idea, really, what or why or when.
You saw me at Kroger today. I shop in the health food section. You see that I buy almond milk and gluten free crackers. Since it is more expensive, you might assume that I follow the latest trends just like those people you detest. You have no idea that I have Celiac disease and dairy allergies.
You saw me at the liquor store last weekend. Yes, I loaded up. Vodka, Gin, Bourbon and Vermouth. You might conclude I am an alcoholic with a terrible life. You have no idea that I am buying extra for a family party.
You saw me at the park today. I was in a beautiful blue convertible. You might decide I am vain, or obsessed with things to impress and distract. You have no idea that I have waited over 20 years for that car, and I raised 5 children on my paycheck alone - and still pay alimony to their mother every damn month.
You ask me where I go to church. I tell you I don't go anywhere - and you might feel either superior or sad - depending on your own heart. You have no idea of the scars from past churches, cult leaders and heresies believed by a young and trusting heart.
You saw the girl at the coffee shop with way too many tattoos and piercings. Her hair is just a bit unkempt and she makes you feel a little uncomfortable - you know, people like that. You have no idea that her step-father molested her for years - beginning when she was only 5.
You see anybody different from you and feel a bit uneasy. You see someone different and you cannot understand why they are who they are.
So when you see me - anywhere or anytime - please remember this. You do not know me. When you see anyone, anywhere - even a friend or old lover - remember the mystery of the human heart and the fact that people do change over time. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
Remember Jesus, King Solomon, Ghandi and Martin Luther King - all were humble men. They knew their own heart and what it was capable of birthing. They knew the best, the worst. They knew of broken promises and failed resurrections. Turnarounds that did not - and rebirths tragically still borne. Leaving only sorrow and hollow hearts behind them.
Remember, you do not know me. Even if you tried, you could not. Because I and you and everyone has secret rooms - safely hidden away in those recesses of the heart no one knows. I can't tell you, because I do not fully know. Even if I did, the wounds go too deep to ever trust any other human with such dark sorrows.
Remember, you do not know your friends, your neighbors, and you sure as hell do not know your enemies. If you took the time to stop, to think, to care about the struggles of others different from you - you might just realize the greatest truth of all.
You do not know yourself.
For if you did, you would know how dark and ever-changing is the human heart. You would admit to all of the times you fell short, lost your temper, or were just too damn tired to do the right thing.
If you did this, if you knew this, if you remember this - everything changes. You, your family, your workplace - and most importantly - the whole damn world.
dg
8/7/2016
Sent from my iPad
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