How are you doing?

The other day I was asked a question.

"How are you doing?"

What a common inquiry.  We say it as a greeting, as meaningless as a quick smile to a stranger in passing.  Are we really interested in how someone is doing?   What if we got the truth every time we asked?

Most of the time we say it to fulfill our duties to polite society.

But this time it was an actual question and I was truly moved.

It was the way the person asked it, with heavy meaning in their voice, that brought me to tears.  Here was  a friend, someone I hadn't seen in months, expressing genuine concern at my well being.  In this giant world, filled with rote movements and individualized problems, I, in my tiny corner of the world, with my small existence, was of interest to someone.

I think we forget how much people need to feel important!  Going about in our routines, the essence of life gets lost.

I believe God wants to ask us that question every morning, "How are you doing???"  He genuinely wants to know.

What if, everyday, we were honest with him and talked to him about it.  Would he have answers for us?  Concern for us?

Today I am going to talk to him about it, about how I'm doing.  I am going to be raw and open and my total self.  I am going to thank him for the things I am thankful for and tell him the things I am worried about.  I am going to tell him what hurts in me and ask if he can fix those things.

And I think he'll listen and will care.  I think he'll will share in my gladness and be strong in my weakness.

And I think, if I ask, he will show me the healing for my pain.

Happy Friday,  May the Lord bless you...and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.   Num 6:24-26