Craig Clouston

 

Louder Than Words

June 20

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:35

Carolyn was the school nurse. She was a wonderful care-giver, outgoing and personable; she also loved Jesus, and everyone at school knew it. Not because she made a spectacle of herself or her faith, but because her love and compassion spoke louder than words.

Exceptionally good with all the students, Carolyn had a soft spot for the youngest children.

One day the Principle brought an inconsolable young girl to the clinic. Sobbing, the girl explained to Carolyn that her father was leaving for Iraq in the morning and due to circumstances outside her control, she wasn’t going to be able to say ‘Goodbye’.

Sensitive to the turmoil wrenching at this little girl’s heart, Carolyn told her, “You know, Jesus can help you get through this if you ask Him.”

“Really?” the girl asked between sobs.

Placing her arm around her, Carolyn said, “All you have to do is tell Him how you feel. You can do that right now if you want,” she offered.

“I’m not sure how to pray,” came her timid response.

“Tell you what,” Carolyn said, “you just start by saying, ‘Dear Jesus’ and then just talk to him. If you need me to, I’ll be glad to help you pray.”

The little girl folded her hands, bowed her head, and prayed, “Dear Jesus…” She opened one eye and looked at Carolyn, and said, “Okay, you can pray now…”

Carolyn smiled, placed her hand over the little girl’s, and prayed for her Daddy’s protection and safe return as well as for the little girl.

Encouraged, the little girl headed back to class, assured that Jesus was going to watch over her Daddy!

†

What a privilege it is to take someone’s concerns to Jesus, but would the people who know us bring their hurting hearts to us for care? If so, would we know how to minister, as Carolyn did, to their pain?

They would, if they saw Christ's capacity for compassion and love shining through our eyes. And we wold know how to minister to their pain if we spent time with Jesus on a regular basis.

Jesus' love, compassion, and understanding rub off on us when He becomes more than a casual acquaintance. Just like knowing someone well enough that you begin to finish their sentences, when we become that acquainted with Jesus, our actions will speak louder than words.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus…. (Okay, you can pray now). Amen.”