See, Hear, Speak

   A Wounded Soul

Today I met a wounded soul,
His eyes with pain were full.
He told a story of life that’s hard,
Of choices badly made.
His shoulders slumped, his voice was low,
Despair was in his thoughts.
Where could he turn?
What could he do?
He looked at me,
And I knew I must speak.
“I know a man who changes lives,”
I shared the hope I have.
God’s precious Word I passed along
To give new strength and life.
Today I met a wounded soul.
I gave him healing truth.
I pray by grace next time we meet,
This man will be made whole.

I wrote this poem many years ago, but I still remember looking into the man's eyes and seeing the pain that was there. In spite of the happy front he tried to put up, he was hurting deeply. I had a few brief moments to share about Jesus with him. Then life moved on, and I didn't see him again. I prayed for him many times, and oh, how I hope I'll see him in heaven one day! How I hope that one brief moment of seeing, listening, and sharing truth was used by God to change his life.

For most people today, life is so busy, so stressful, and so fast-paced. Yet there are wounded souls all around us.

Sometimes I'm too preoccupied to see them.
Sometimes I see them, but I don't take the time to ask a question and listen to their story.
Sometimes I listen to their story, but I don't know how to share the truth they need.
Other times, by God's grace - I see, I hear, and I speak.

I want to be the kind of person who looks past the outward facade and sees the reality inside.
I want to be someone who will stop, ask a thoughtful question and then listen.
And I want to be a person who kindly, yet boldly, shares truth and grace - the hope I have for eternal life and for today's trials.

Life is hard. This we know.

But Jesus is good! This truth we can share.

Would you pray for me to be someone who sees wounded souls, hears their stories, and speaks the truth they need? And I'll pray the same for you. May Jesus fill us, may He live through us, and may He use us to help others find hope in Him. Amen.


Note - My dear friend Martha, who has graciously translated these blog posts into Spanish for years, recently had a stroke and has been in the hospital. Please pray for her - that she would feel God's presence with her, for healing and recovery as God wills, and for comfort and peace for her friends and family. Thank you so much!