Lately, I’ve been picturing what it would look like if I could see Jesus right here in my daily life.

I see him beckoning when I’ve slipped into worry and over busyness.  He says, “Leave that and come over here close to me.  That worrying won’t do you any good, so just come over here.  I can help.”  Of course, I hear that other voice, my soul’s enemy, hissing in my ear, “There you go again.  Doubting and worrying.  You’re blowing it as a Christian.  You’re never going to get it right.”  I’m so glad I don’t have to believe that negative voice.  I’m not the first one to be pulled away from Jesus by worry and busyness, so I reread the two centuries old story that speaks to my weary soul today.  

“. . . a woman named Martha welcomed him [Jesus] into her home.  Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.  But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42

So I choose to stop, sit down beside my waiting Savior, and listen.  I can’t hear his audible voice, but I can read his words and I can listen to the Counselor he has sent to me who reminds me of his words.

I see Jesus smiling when like-minded friends get together and help each other.  After our Bible study on Friday nights, the couples stand around talking and snacking in our host’s kitchen.  Two weeks ago a couple who had recently relocated to our area were attending our group for the first time.  During snacks, I noticed our hostess showing our visitor her guest bed which was exactly the kind our visitor wanted to buy.  Then they got on the website where she could buy that bed.  Such a small thing.  But our hostess was entering into the life of our visitors.  At the same time, dear Husband was offering our paint sprayer to our host and another man was discussing cabinet installation with one of the couples who are remodeling their kitchen.  I could imagine Jesus standing beside me smiling at the unity and love as each helped the other.

“Don’t be selfish… Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”  Philippians 2:3,4

I see Jesus crying with someone I love who recently considered suicide as a way to deal with the pressures of life.  With tears in his eyes, he pleaded with her to walk away from the dreadful darkness and come into his glorious light.  He is so tender and compassionate that he feels our pain and he offers to carry it for us.

“In all their suffering he also suffered,
and he personally rescued them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them.
He lifted them up and carried them
through all the years.”  Isaiah 63:9

When Jesus saw her weeping, and those who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
 Jesus wept.
 Then they said, “See how he loved him!”  John 11:33-35

I see him giving me a firm gaze when he sees my first reaction to an interruption to my “To Do” list.  (Or even an interruption to my comfortable relax time.) He isn’t amused when I consider a child an annoyance or someone who’s sick a burden.  He reminds me that the lesser ones in the world’s eyes are very important in his eyes and get his special care and concern.  How many times when he was on earth did he stop for the ailing, the hurting, the children?  How dare I be impatient or begrudge them my attention and time?

“As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind.  Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.
But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”
 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!”  Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.”  Matthew 20:29-34

“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.  When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”  Mark 10:13-14.  This story is also recored in two other books of the Bible, Matthew and Luke.

I see Jesus laughing with us at our son’s wedding reception held in our city a month after their marriage abroad.  I stood quietly for a minute and just enjoyed seeing five of our adult children together for the first time in years, watching cousins laughing together, and old friends renewing ties.  I think he rejoices with us as we enjoy family and friends.  Surely he is pleased when a man and woman commit their lives to each other in love.  I know he thinks a wedding celebration is worth attending since that was the occasion he chose to perform his first miracle when he was on this earth.  He made sure there was enough at that wedding meal.  And he describes that great feast in Heaven at the end of the ages as the wedding feast where we will celebrate the union of believers with their Beloved.  In the meantime, as we enjoy his gifts, we turn our thoughts and thanks to him. Reminds me of table prayers, grace, we called it that I was taught as a child.  Yes, they’re simple, but they remind us that Jesus wants to be invited into our daily lives.  

“Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest.
Let this food we eat be blessed.
By His hands we are fed.
Thank you, Lord, for daily bread. Amen”  Unknown

“Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here and everywhere adored;
Thy creatures bless and grant that we
May feast in paradise with thee.”  John Greenleaf Whittier

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