Dear Anonymous who commented on Richard's tattoos,
I was not going to respond to this comment, but after much prayer feel it is only right to respond on Richards behalf. I think you totally missed the point of his story being shared and would invite you to go back and re-read it with a new heart and through the eyes of Christ.
I feel Richard showed much courage in sharing his story with me, his hurts and pain and did so without anger or malice. He was very gracious in talking about the people who had hurt him. He was very sweet and even though I have never been a fan of tattoos, I could most easily look over them to the sweet spirit behind them. He would be much more attractive to me as a worker than someone who was not tattooed and had a wrong and ungracious spirit. I told Richard if he came into my hospital room as a nurse with that sweet spirit of his and had gone through the dedication that it takes to become a nurse, I would have no problem with him being my nurse.
I also believe, and I say this with respect and love, that Richard showed much more courage in sharing his story with me and with the grace and respect that he showed me, than someone who leaves an ungracious remark hiding behind the name of anonymous. I welcome any comments and views as long as they are clean, but I do not like the anonymous name. If I am being vulnerable and my interviewees are being vulnerable, I would like to see my commenters being brave enough to stand behind their words. I would have appreciated it more that way.
I do hope you will come back and see this person with new eyes. May you go through your day experiencing the grace, mercy and love of our Heavenly Father.
Praise be to God that He does not look on the outward appearance but at the heart!
as always, you responded with the love and grace that pleases our heavenly Father. :)
ReplyDeleteI am sad to say...there was a time in my life I maybe would be that anonymous person...so quick to judge by outward appearance. I pray he/she will find the Grace God and all He has for us...to change our hearts...to start to see with His eyes...feel with His heart...love with His love. You have modeled with well...so glad you are sharing your journey with us.
ReplyDeleteYou gave a very gracious response...left an open door of Grace for who ever wants to walk through.
Blessings~
Very nicely done Kristin...I believe the response that the Lord would have you to give! Keep going and sharing with them and us all the beautiful things the Lord wants us all to hear and to see!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you today...Chelle
I had to go back and find the comment, and I just sighed. I agree with you, Kristin, and would have NO problem at all with a kind and thoughtful and gracious person WITH tattoos being my nurse. I'm getting older -- in my 60's -- so I come from a generation where what you looked like spoke of what you were on the inside. I was TAUGHT that. My parents would tell me to "look like a Christian ought to look." We had dress codes at school, at work, at Bible school, at church, etc. Today???? if there is a code for any of these, I'm at a loss to be able to see it. My church is full of new Christians -- former bikers, addicts, homeless, etc. All with glorious testimonies of God's grace. BUT . . . or should I say AND . . . they come with tatoos, strange dress codes, hair colors, and choices of shoes. Yet, I have learned to hug and love these new vessels of God's love, mercy and grace, and have been PROUD to walk into Applebee's with any one of them. They call me "Momma" and I call them son.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response, Kristin. I'm still praying for Richard.
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Glenda
Bless you Kristin for being so Christ-like. You speak truth with love and compassion. It is sad that we are conditioned to judge by the exterior... it takes a lot of grace to overcome this tendency. I am praying for all those who come into Richard's life that they will look beyond to see his heart.
ReplyDeleteLove you
Amen!
ReplyDeleteAMEN!!!!!!! If we could all learn to see with our hearts and not our eyes wow what a world this would be. I have learned this from my wonderful, Godly husband who is totally blind.
ReplyDeleteWell written, Kris, well said!
ReplyDeleteYou know, many of us wear our pasts. Some on the outside. Some on the inside. (You were wise to respond. I do not know if I could have been so gracious. I think I just may have hit the Big D! LOL)
So many Christians act, and sometimes I think "believe" that the lost need to be cleaned up before they approach the cross. None are perfect before or after salvation. We constantly need the cleansing blood of the Lamb, and the grace from God the Father.
Anonymous, your words link you with the Pharisees whom Jesus rebuked. Only, but for the grace of God, am I not Richard...homeless, battered, and scared. I wear mine on the inside. If you knew me, you probably would have the same distain. Your words do not reflect the love and forgivness that should come from a follower of Jesus. Maybe you are not. I pray you will know the grace that I have been shown.
I love your series on the homeless and hurting, Kris. Keep writing, sister! I love you!
Ruth
To me, "anonymous" metaphorically represents exactly how the enemy attacks. We never truly know where to expect the next trial, tribulation, or hardship. I think frequently of your mission and posts. You put a story to a face.
ReplyDeleteI was faced with some prejudice TODAY about people we saw in the city streets. My own response was:
I am pretty high functioning, but if a massive hardship came my way that put me in that situation, Im not sure what I would do to survive...
I think your response was full of prayerful and graceful. Because in reality, all you were truly saying was, "Get behind me, Satan. For you have no power here." <3
Pinks aka Kendra McClure
Thank you for never being afraid to love and share. You are an inspiration to all of us and as always --- you point past yourself and straight to Jesus. You are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteMylinda
How easily we judge others. I am always reminding myself and my kids to look at people through the eyes of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteWell written Kristin!
Amen!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristin - amen. Well said and very graciously put. God is concerned with our hearts anyway, not our skin! Great post
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Thank you for all you do ....
ReplyDeleteLove you very much!
~Susan~