Lesson # 5 We All Bleed Red

I start to wonder if I have any right to speak on Eric's story. Is it right for me to talk about someone else's story?  I mean, shouldn't Eric do the talking?   This is his story; this happened to him, after all.  But a gentle answer from the  Holy Spirit reassures me there is room for my words on the subject.

The Spirit reminded me of the greatest story ever told- Jesus Christ crucified; our salvation through Christ's death payment.  Whose story was that? It was Jesus' story.  But truly, his mother, Mary, had a story of her own.  And if she were here today, I sure would want to hear her side of things!  Probably because it would match up so closely with my feelings, thoughts, and concerns.  Although we do not have any record of Mary speaking about the crucifixion and all that led up to it and all that followed, I am convinced she had an audience, all the same.  Her best friends wanted to know, right?  Her neighbors had curiosity, not?  How did she deal with all of it?  What went through her mind?  She knew a broken heart. She endured what no mom ought to endure.  She was helpless to help her son.  She had a story, too.

Which leads me to the lesson learned- we all bleed red.  We all have wounds.  We all have scars. We all get lost.  We all cry tears. We all get stabbed by cruel words and unfair judgments.  We all fall down. We all lose faith. We all wonder why.  We all have doubts. We all bleed red.

I don't care how immaculate Mary was- she was a mom and she was a human being and she had to have wondered why, cried, sank into the depths, lost her bearings, wished it were not so, and hurt so deep she could scarcely breathe....

And we would listen to her story!  It would never grow old or lose its salt.  I am sure of it.  For the very power of Almighty God is upon it.  It is story of His living, breathing grace-- which is new every morning!

So, I will get that speaking gig started.  As unsure as I am about every aspect of it.  The reason my story is worth telling is because the power of Almighty God is in it.  It is His story- it is about His living, breathing grace.  That never gets old.

Hawaii showed me that people are kind. Wherever we go, goodness and mercy follow us. (Psalm 23) Hurricane Hilo awakened in me the realization that we are all on this rugged journey of life, working to figure it out.  We all need a Savior.  We all have one, if we receive Him.  And we all get cut...and we all bleed red.