"How are you doing?"
"What's up dude?"
"What's shaking?"
"How is life treating you?"
"How are things in your world?"
Some stay simple with:
"Hi."
"Hello."
"Yo."
It comes natural to use words such as these when approaching another. The greeting may receive a simple reply or could open up a whole conversation which lasts for hours. The demeanor and tone of voice make all the difference. Another factor includes the company with which you are present.
In customer service, I greet everyone I meet with smiles and a helpful attitude (strive to at least). I am there for them and care about their day. I carry on a conversation, sometimes cheesy jokes, with my customers and move on through the line of cars in the drive-thru. No real, solid, meaningful words are expressed from either party. It is just a simple, passing by "Hi" shared. I believe our greetings would fall under the, "What's up dude?" or "What's shaking?" category. We care for one another as humans, but do not carry a deep level of relationship.
Then, I have a customer which I consider a good friend/acquaintance. The greeting deepens a little with, "Hello" and "How are you doing?" or "How are things in your world?" My heart extends a bit more to those individuals. I want to hear how their week or day has been and share in any burdens. I enjoy listening to the latest on their children or in their workplace. I want to share in the excitement planned for the weekend. I listen and thank God for blessing my life with friends such as these. He surrounds us with deeper relationships so to share our joys, seek prayer from others and just enjoy a good laugh with a kind person.
The deepest level still remains. This relationship may not come around as often. This one may be hard to find or hard to accept from just anyone. This person approaches with an open heart, tuned ears, closed mouth, alert eyes and caring attitude. I am speaking about the greeting, "How is life treating YOU?" or "How are YOU doing?" The recipient of these words feels relief to know someone cares enough to really engage in their life. They feel safe to share burdens, shed tears, let out sadness and feel better when the conversation ends.
This deepest level seems hard for me to find. I keep a tight guard on my heart that and my sadness and stress remain inside until I near explosion. I guess in the moment, I just do not know who to call, who to run to for comfort or how to release this emotion in a constructive manner. I want to hear a voice, feel arms wrapped around me and seek advice. Yet, I do not want to burden others or unload all of my troubles when the day may be going just great for them. I find it hard to unload on others who carry their own troubles around daily. Why give them any more negative in their life? I just do not know how to open up sometimes. I sit and wonder who has the answer I need to take away all my sadness, relieve me of stress and set my thoughts back positive . . .
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." (Psalm 68:19)
While, those with 'skin on' can be GREAT in relationships and God provides them to shine His light, love and comfort; our only true source for comfort, relief and peace is our Father. He waits with open arms, tuned ears, alert eyes and an attitude exceeding any care here on Earth. He will set our thoughts back positive and clean out bitter, anger, sadness, resentment, etc. He always greets with a "How are YOU doing?" Although He knows the answer, He wants to hear from your mouth. He will send others into your path to carry the burdens, offer a shoulder to cry and fill you with Truth. It may not be instant, but once you release the burdens to Him, He builds up another to come and speak Truth into your life.
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Will you be His hands and feet today? Keep check on the ones closest to you. Speak Truth into their lives, build them up, offer comfort, open ears, alert eyes and a shoulder on which to cry. Pray with AND for them. Take time today to ask another, "How are YOU doing?"
God, thank you for another day. Thank You for hearing my cries, for carrying my burdens and feeding my Truth. Help me see who needs to feel that same release and comfort today. Place others in my path who need an ear to listen and a mouth to remain quiet. Then, help me feed them with Your Words. May I lead them to You and comfort them with Your arms. Shine Your light through me today. I am here. Use me as a vessel. I love You.
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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