How are you?

  "I'm good! How are you?"

    I have been struggling with this for some time now but today, as I was a greeter at my church, it hit me very powerfully. Today, was actually the first time in a long time where my, "I'm good." was actually truth. I wonder, how many people are facing huge trials and are putting on their "I'm good!" face.
   Why can't we be real with each other? WHY?

  I have come to a point in my life where I want time to slow down and I want to be more observant of the people around me. I don't want to be tied down to all these responsibilities so I can have the opportunity to sit and talk with someone should that time come. I am not there yet! I do sound two weeks a month, I greet the door once a month, and various other life trials like job, family, bills, etc. My struggle is  I have a servants heart to the max. I want to help everywhere and I am working so hard at not doing that and letting others stand up. (that is a whole other blog post!)
   The thing is, we should be helping in our church families! And undoubtedly, we all have jobs, families, etc. so there goes that. But how do we become a people where we can push pause a moment when you see someone hurting?
    Today, I had two people be honest with me when I asked them how they were. One person, I stood aside from my duties and prayed for. I knew I should. I should have with the other as well but that one slipped away. It is OK to push pause on your duties to love on people, to pray for people! It is OK!
   It is also OK to be real!
  I challenge you, when someone asks how you are, answer them honestly. If you are in pain, let them know. If you are happy, let them know. If you are sad, let them know. If you are depressed, let them know. Etc! Etc! Etc! And, if you are the one asking, don't ask unless you are prepared to listen and to be a friend.
   My goal is to be a friend, a loving friend to all, like Jesus was. And if you catch me being too busy, tell me please, because I don't want to be that person! I don't! And I know I have been.
   I am going to start being real with people at my new church as hard as it is. I don't know some of them very well but you know what? They know Jesus, I know Jesus, and He knows all, so that makes it OK for me!
  I am tired of being fake and being a people pleaser, time to be real and it is time to start loving like I have been called to love!