Amanda Carrasco

We think we know people. We have no other alternative than to go on what we see and hear. When times are good we think that’s who a person really is and then when times are tough it can cause us to question -which person is she really? The answer is yes.

We are all capable of good and evil. We can all love and hate. We can all be bold and courageous, but we can also be paralyzed with fear. I have been all of the above. Some choose to see one side of me and ignore the rest, but it’s all there.

Genesis 4 opens with Adam “knowing” his wife. The English translation of that Hebrew really hit me this morning. Adam knew Eve in deeply intimate ways. He knew her good, her bad and her ugly. I mean this is the woman who “caused” him to sin (actually he willingly chose it so it’s not her fault),

There is a meme that I have loved for a long time: Love says I’ve seen the ugly parts of you and I’m staying. It means you’ve seen the good and bad and it doesn’t make you want to run away or hide. You can handle it and you can love me still.

We suck at that. I read an article posted by a Christian MP that pleaded for mercy and grace for post abortive women and there we so many angry and hateful responses- from christians. “Sorry I can’t do that”. These people don’t even know the stories or reasons behind these decisions. I’m not calling for justification for the end of a life, but for empathy and understanding for what has brought someone to that point. There is still a life of value – the mothers, yet these christians don’t see it.

Some people are so good at hiding their weaknesses and keep up a good appearance. I know it’s why some people don’t like me. I own my good and my bad. If that scares you then we don’t need to be friends.

I serve El Roi: the God who sees me. He not only sees me when I am doing well, but also when I am lost and hiding in a desert having made choices that have hurt others. Hagar had had enough and she ran. In doing so, she and her son were about to die. God saw her as said I’m staying. Your bad choices don’t scare me.

Even if there is no one else, there is a God who sees you and He’s staying.

Nakuona (Swahili, I see you)