Every girl has a story. Every girl longs to be known, to be understood and valued. When was the last time a girl called to you with her eyes or her voice? There’s a risk in answering, but every girl has a story.
I was sitting in Room 254 chatting with my friend when we heard the call. At first the voice was small, but then it grew loud and determined. “Help! Someone, please help me!” The eyes of my friend released me to venture into the sterile hallway to see who called. Behind the heavy hospital door was a tiny neighbor, calling out with with all her might.
“I heard you calling,” I said. “Can I help you?”
“What? Oh, I’m just in so much pain. I don’t know why, but I hurt so bad.”
“I’m so sorry you’re hurting. Would you like for me to find your nurse?”
“Oh, honey, don’t waste your time on me.”
But her eyes said otherwise; her eyes said, “Please.”
I assured her she is no “waste,” that my friend next door and I cared about why she called. “Well that’s very nice,” she said, “But you don’t have to waste your time on me.” But her eyes said, “Please.”
“What’s your name?” I asked, and her wrinkles lifted her cheeks into a tall smile of surprise .. or maybe hope.
“My name? My name is Jo.”
“Jo!?! My daughter’s name is Jo!” And at the revelation, her eyes said “Joy.”
And so she was known again and began to share her story. Every girl has a story. Even wrinkled and tired, a girl still has a story to be told, to be shared, to be known. Turns out, this Jo had been a teacher, like my Jo wants to be. The shared discovery inspired her to tell a tale of 38 little students and a once energetic teacher who went home to her three sons and a history teacher husband. The story was set long ago when she was known by and interwoven with many.
The short walk from Jo’s room to 254 was long enough to consider my days, whatever their number may be, and to pray the Psalmist’s prayer:
“So teach to number days that may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
I smiled at the divine appointment with this frail “Jo” who longed to be heard and to be known. And God’s Spirit whispered, “Every girl has a story. Listen, watch, and know … for Me.”
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)
Today let’s listen, watch and go to the “girl” near us who longs to be know she is not a waste, not forgotten. We can be the aroma of Christ!
Julie, I loved this!
Thanks Jen. I thought of you when I was visiting with Jo and with my elderly friend. You were my “mental example” of what would be helpful to them.