Recently, I read something about a psychological concept known as the God-Father transferrence. Psychological studies have proven that our concepts of God come from our images of our fathers. For example, a person who had a loving, caring father see God as gentle. A person who had an abusive father will focus on God’s “wrath”. A person whose father left them will feel as though God has abandoned them. Sadly, there are many more people in this day and age who have exposure to the later of these situations. More and more children go fatherless every day. This brings me to my question/comment:

Do other people see Jesus in us? When you set out to your daily life, what indications do you give to people around you that Jesus is alive and resides in your heart? Are you quick to anger or do you have patience with those who simply don’t see eye to eye with you? when people joke with you (i.e., about you), do you let it roll of your back or do you turn to harsh words? How do the people around you perceive God and Jesus, and how closely to you does their vision of him come?

For myself, the first person that I saw Jesus shining brightly inside of was my Grandmother, Elsie (who I called “Nanny”). I knew many other people who were like Jesus, but the first time I ever felt like I was in His presence was when I was looking at my Grandmother. She did everything that was helpful, be it hospice work, rescue squad auxilliary, meals on wheels, bible study, sunday school and nearly everything in between. The first instance of my Grandmother’s being Christlike came when a lady hit a deer in front of my Grandmother’s house. Through some miracle, the lady knew Nanny and came to the door to ask if Nanny could help her. Without hesitation, Nanny helped the lady out of the clothes that were coated in shattered glass and gave her a set of her own clothes. She told me to go hop in the car, because we were taking that lady home. The lady insisted that she could simply call her husband, but Nanny wouldn’t hear of it. She climbed into the car and headed toward the lady’s house. The lady offered Nanny some money for all her kindness, but Nanny simply said “No, no, you put that away.” The Lady (completely baffled) thanked Nanny a number of times and went into her house.

When I climbed into the front seat, I asked Nanny why she didn’t take anything from her. Nanny told me that, if she were in the same situation as the lady was, she would want the same done for her; kindness without monetary reward. I still think of Nanny often, though she died 9 years ago this May. Her examples of how a good, Christian person should live and how they should show others what a life in Christ gave to them still stay with me to this very day.

—————————Challenge!!!————————————–

If you are reading this post and are a registered member, hit “reply” and tell us about the first time you saw Jesus in someone close to you. Go ahead; someone who reads your story may benefit infinitely. Do it right away!

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John 13:34-35)