Known

Known

Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

CLUTCHING A SOAKED TISSUE tightly in one fist, I sat in the reserved first pew, having lost the battle long ago against the tears silently leaking down my cheeks.

At the pastor’s invitation, stories began to pour forth from the packed pews behind us, spanning the entirety of my father-in-law’s life, some of which Aaron had never heard, never knew about his dad.

Bill, gentlehearted and unfailingly kind, built a lifetime of seeing others, of reaching out in moments of desperate need, of stepping into gaps. Coworkers from long-ago jobs, neighbors, and friends told stories that, despite their being strangers, shared the theme of Bill loving those around him well.

I’ve often thought of those stories, of the packed church, of the collective grief over a compassionate man who loved others well. He sought out those feeling slightly uncomfortable, intentionally easing their discomfort. He quietly met needs, setting aside his own time and preferences to care for someone else physically or emotionally. His actions over a lifetime revealed his character consistently, despite living in different places, having a variety of jobs, and engaging with untold numbers of individuals.

Known. Whether we cultivate it intentionally or not, we create a sense of being known, of being recognized by our consistent response to circumstances around us. And while all of us are flawed and imperfect, and prone to behaviors we don’t want to ultimately be known for, it’s something to think about.

Do strangers, neighbors, coworkers, friends, family know (mostly) the same version of me? As a follower of Christ, do I respond consistently across circumstances—especially stressful, hard circumstances? Do I, both in word and deed, point others back to God?

Those are the hard questions I ask myself when I wonder how I am known. And when I don’t like the answer to the question, I ask God what I might need to change so that I’m known for something better.

Lord, reveal how we might be known for something better than what we are right now. Show us words or actions that are ungodly in character, that we might need to let go of or replace. Amen.

-Julie

One Good Word: Pick three people and list five words that describe each of them. Which of those words do you want to better emulate? Which words do you want to avoid being known for? Implement changes based on what you discovered.