Seeing The Unseen
posted on August 18th, 2010 / by Alan Smith / 54 CommentsMy class at church ended five minutes late at about 8:35pm.
Some immediately rushed to pick up their little ones from the nursery, some scurried to the parking lot and the ride home after what was likely a very full day. Many lingered around the fringes of the room, new acquaintances forming, old friends sharing a final exchange before the lateness of the evening made its demands.
I unclipped my lapel mic and began the always awkward process of trying to get the microphone cable out of my shirt without looking like an idiot. A few began to line up nearby, hoping to visit with me before I made my exit. This isn’t unusual and I enjoy these moments. Someone has a theological question about a doctrinal grenade I had lobbed into the crowd without sufficient explanation. Another just wants to say thank you. A fifty-something man is facing some medical tests in the morning. He’s scared and wants me to pray with him.
Cheryl approached the line. It wasn’t really a line at all. It was more like a small little mass of people, the kind where everyone is waiting and everyone keeps track of who is next. There were only two ahead of her when she took her place, purse hanging from her elbow, arms wrapped tightly around her notebook hugging it tightly. She waited patiently in my peripheral vision to my left, shifting back and forth from one foot to another and back again. She was smiling just a little.
As her turn arrived and she began to step forward a young man stepped up from the corner, oblivious to the protocol. He just had a quick question, a reality that in his mind qualified him to avoid waiting like everyone else. When he stepped away, an older woman I’ve known most of my life approached from the side. She just wanted to give me a hug. I really think she wanted to pinch my cheeks but she quit doing that about twenty-five years ago.
I stood there and interacted with each person. For the most part I think I did a pretty good job at staying engaged with each individual. But part of me had zoomed out and was watching a different story unfold.
Cheryl was still waiting.
Person after person stepped up to talk to me, each one apparently completely oblivious to her presence. She had been there longer than anyone and it was obvious she was waiting to speak to me. It was like she was invisible.
She was invisible.
As the last line cutter turned and made their way toward the door I turned and spoke to her.
“Does that happen to you a lot?”
She looked startled. It wasn’t what she expected and she didn’t quite know what I was getting at.
“People not seeing you. Does that happen to you a lot?”
She immediately burst into tears. Nothing loud. Her eyes just turned into hydrants and a river of pain, long flowing beneath the surface, broke through the topsoil and began flowing down her face. Most women in this condition will immediately become chiefly aware of their makeup and begin the necessary finger and eye work to prevent looking like a raccoon.
Cheryl made no such efforts. I think she was too shocked. Few people ever really saw her. No one had ever seen others not seeing her. She had no words. I stepped toward her and intently looked into her eyes.
“I see you.”
She gave me a quick, awkward hug and made her way out into the hallway where she wept for a long time while Jesus talked to her and healed her heart. I headed down stairs to the parking lot and my car.
In my role I have the privilege of doing a lot of really cool things. Few things are more powerful than seeing people and loving them.
Alan is married to Nancy and father to Lauren (14), Anna (12) and Teddy (7). He currently serves as Pastor of Freedom Ministries at Gateway Church where he helps others learn to hear God’s voice and become who they were created and redeemed to be. He wants to be an author when he grows up.
You can follow Alan on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/alansmithonline
Alan is also an active blogger and you can subscribe to his blog at: http://www.alansmithonline.com
I love this. Read those 3 words 1,000 times and you might begin to grasp the degree in which I mean them. This is Holy Spirit ministry!! Praise God for that divine moment between you and Cheryl. A short question or statement that actually holds *revelation* is all it takes to guide someone towards deep healing and destiny. Teach me to live in this way, Holy Spirit. Seeing what You see.
Blessings on you and your ministry!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for that Alan. I just sat here and cried. Its humbling how the Lord trusts us and picks us at times to begin the change and healing in someone else's heart. My little brother, Brady, always talks about how amazing you are. I am so thankful you saw her that day…and even more thankful that God always sees us.
Now this was refreshing. Thanks Alan.
Stephanie Newsome
Those words pierce right to the core of the unseen!! Thanks for sharing!!!
wow. this one made me cry. God knew what she needed to hear … and He made it happen. Thanks for listening and obeying. This story is etched onto my heart really good now … i'm not going to forget it.
Wow…. God does always see us….
Thank you.
I love that FREEDOM can come in any situation with any person at any time. I love that you are so surrendered to teaching this process to so many. Thanks for sharing your heart!
Great story, thanks for all you do. I'm so glad that so many are ministered to and brought to freedom through words like this….
This made me cry. I loved it! Best I've read from you yet. And… I read a lot of your stuff. I might be your #5 fan, next to your family of course.
Keep writing!!!
Powerful.
Great word!!! God is Jehovah-Elroi, the God Who Sees (Genesis 16:13)
Thanks for sharing Alan. Love it. Seeing through His eyes.
Pastor Alan,
I had the priviledge of hearing this from Cheryl's perspective. I so enjoyed hearing her speak of how God thru you allowed for healing to occur. It was wonderful to hear her crying with JOY as she shared with me how deeply she was touched in that moment. Words can't express the level of gratitude I have for you and the Freedom ministry at Gateway. I know that Cheryl's life and mine are forever changed because of this ministry. Thank you
This is really a good story. Thank you for sharing.
Loved it! What a great story, and what a cool way to speak into someone's life.
I SOOO love this! I remember being invisible most of my young life, and now I have trained my eyes to have "super powers" to find the invisibles.
So close to my heart. Thanks for sharing with us.
Yes!!!!!! I am doing cheerleading jumps in my heart – since my body won't cooperate anymore!
Yes… this spoke to me today as well! I needed to know that He sees me too!
It was as if the Holy spirit spoke that to my heart and spirit! He is good like that!
Thank you for sharing….
Thanks Coli! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
Very poignant. I hope she was able to actually say what she approached you to say
But then, that probably wasn't the real reason for her being there, was it?
Thanks Kris! It is SO great to be used by God to impact others.
That's good to hear Stephanie! Blessings!
May we all continue to see those who are unseen. Thanks Amy!
That's so cool Amy. Thanks for sharing how it impacted you.
He really does Lyndsi. He sees you!
Hi Cassie,
Thanks for reading and commenting. May we all surrender more each day!
Thanks Jesi!
It's a mutual fan club really. I am campaigning to be the president of yours!
Agghhhh….the pressure!
Thank you.
He is indeed!
You do it more and better than most. Look forward to learning from you soon! Nancy and I want to get together when you're here.
Matt,
It was a very significant moment for me as well. Seeing "Cheryl" continue to pursue freedom is a constant encouragement to me too!
Thanks Renee!
Thanks Alex!
Thanks Rebecca! It is a privilege to be included on DIB!
Thanks Crista!
I love this Alan. I love the little unexpected "God moments" that help to shape our lives – for both the giver and receiver. Thanks for pastoring us in such a genuine and transparent way. Thanks for seeing us.
Great word Alan. I saw two things – God working in her through a very directed question and affirmation – well done. The other thing I'm amazed is the control and restraint you showed in not "diving in" and ministering more than you did… awesome… well done good and faithful servant. He is a good Daddy that loves and cares for his own.
A very beautiful story! Just like when Jesus saw the woman at the well… invisible to so many others… you were Jesus' eyes in that moment, sharing the Father's heart…
WOW!This was so enlightening.. My heart broke and my eyes welled with tears as i could almost feel the pain the woman was experiencing. Then asked myself, "have i ever done this or not seen someone?".. OH Lord..please open my eyes,, allow me to be led so sweetly and sovereignly. Help me to see those around me through your eyes and love them with the life-changing love of the Father God.
Thanks for reading and commenting Lana! I'm glad it was helpful!
I think you're right about that! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks for your encouraging words Yuri! I think we should schedule a lunch soon and hang out a bit.
That kind of restraint is rare for me Bryan. It was a real teachable moment for me in that regard. Thanks for always encouraging!
You said it well both times. I can't say enough how much I appreciate the privilege of writing for you. Thank you for inviting me. I look forward to the next invitation!
Thanks Jeanette!
Thanks for letting me be part of your story Cheryl!
Short, simple, straight to the point, powerful & true! I love this. Thank you!
Beautifully written. Powerful in its simplicity. Speaks to those of us who need to slow down to see others better and to those of us who feel unseen. Speaks well of our good and faithful God. Thanks for writing for DIB. Now I need to go visit your blog!
So profoundly true! As human beings we all have moments of feeling invisible. In my case, I thought at one time in my life I had been given a secret super power of being invisible until someone showed me the same love of Jesus that you showed that woman and "saw me."
Thank you for sharing this and reminding us to see people the same way Jesus sees them!!:)
Blessings,
Maree
Great post. I just happened to pop back on to the website tonight…by the way, marissa and "y'all", I love the new blog outfit! So so cute. Ok back to my comment. Very powerful writing; It's also a line from the end of the movie Avatar, ("I see you") and it made me cry in the movie too!
Alan- Reminds me of a speaker, Angela Thomas, who wrote a book about feeling like a wall flower at a school dance that no one wanted to dance with~ until Jesus invited her to dance. And now, her whole life is a dance with Him. Before, no one noticed her, but Jesus does. Amazing story of how the Holy Spirit gave you insight and ministered greatly to this girl. Blessings!