I seriously don’t like her…

She has three children all having different fathers. In the afternoons, she hangs around the males wearing the shortest and skimpiest clothes. I didn’t like her.


As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. But once in a while, I met people I just don’t like. I am guilty of this. And unfortunately I’ve participated in people’s discussion who shares the same dislike for that person. I got convicted. Then, I ask,

“Lord, how shall I respond to the dislike I feel for this person?”
“Look at her heart, Wendy…” was His answer.

Then, I remembered the Samaritan woman Jesus spoke with near the Well of Jacob (John 4:1-26). Without hesitation, He asked the sinful woman who had many husbands for a drink. The woman knew very well that speaking with a Jew was tabooed, much more a man. She could have just ignored Jesus and went away. But there was something about Jesus that compelled her to stay.

I also remembered how Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector (Matthew 9:9) and Peter the fisherman (Matthew 4:18-20) to join Him in ministry. I imagine Matthew going about his task of harassing Jews to pay their taxes. Then, from somewhere Jesus came, looked Matthew in the eyes with the most penetrating look and says “Follow me…” without hesitation he left what he was doing and went with Jesus. The same thing happened with Peter. He left his life as a fisherman and followed Christ as if He had been waiting for Him. Why wouldn’t they? There was something about this miracle worker that intrigued them. He had the answers to their questions. They knew He was the One.


Jesus had a way with people. He mesmerized them. His mere presence was refreshing and healing and very miraculous! He saw right through the underlying causes of any person’s behavior. He saw their hearts.


He looked beyond the sin of the Samaritan woman, Peter or the cruelty of Matthew, instead He saw their hearts and its brokenness- a heart like everybody else’s has been beaten and battered by life’s cruel circumstances. A heart that once hoped but was disappointed by the very people they trusted and loved. I believe all of us are born with a pure heart. But somewhere along the way, we are hurt in our innocence, forcing us to harden ourselves as a defense against this unkind world. A wife batterer doesn’t become one overnight. He probably experienced the same violence from his own parent.


We all have wounds we need to heal from.


Jesus’ message of the Kingdom of God targets the heart, transforms the mind thus changing the person’s life. The incredible unconditional love of the Lord empowers the believer.


Later on, I found out some things about this person I disliked. I discovered a bit of her past that somehow explained her behavior. She too is hurt and has a broken heart. She needs the healing love of Jesus. And who is responsible for showing her Jesus- me.


Focusing on a person’s brokenness instead of their wrongdoings makes it easier to understand them. These days, when I see her or think about her I remind myself that I need to show her love. I asked the Lord to forgive me for being so judgmental. As I show her the kindness and love I can afford to give, I am hoping and praying that I can lead her to Jesus, He who could totally heal and change her.