Faces

Sometimes I'm anxious about looking people in the eyes.  To stand face to face with another person and look directly into their eyes feels scary and intimidating because it requires vulnerability and openness.  Without ever saying a word, we can communicate so much with our facial expressions. Sometimes it's easier to look away rather than engage in the depth and truth that exists when we come together, face to face.

Here in Haiti, I'm surrounded each day by so many faces.  Familiar faces that greet me each morning with sleepy eyes and run smiling to give me a big hug.  Kind faces of caregivers who can only communicate with me through facial expressions and gestures and the shared understanding of the quirks and endearing qualities of these sweet kiddos.  Curious faces of people in the streets of Port au Prince as this strange "blan" (white) walks by.  Engaged faces of educators who are eager for discussion and tools to be able to meet the great needs of their children.  Tired faces of workers returning home for the day with baskets of unsold produce resting on their heads.  Worried faces of people coming and going and still never finding all their needs met.  And lots of silly faces of children celebrating the freedoms of summer vacation...  

I look in the mirror after seeing all those faces and I wonder what my face said today. Did it show sympathy and understanding, or was it full of judgement? Did it show awareness and concern, or was it full of distraction and neglect?  Did it show compassion and mercy, or was it full of frustration and selfishness?

Then I imagine another face.  The face of our Lord.  I think He never shied away from looking someone in the eyes.  While still knowing all of our mess and brokenness, He lifts our chin and His eyes look right down into our souls.  He looks at us and He knows us.  What a comfort to be fully known and fully accepted because of His goodness...

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

~Psalm 139:1-12

I'm so thankful today for the chance to see these faces and know these people.  Many thanks for following along with me on this journey!  Much love in Christ until we can meet again face to face! Jessie