The beauty in you

Across the counter from me, she’s busy at her work. A new face, I’ve only seen her here a few times.

She’s neatly dressed, neatly combed, and I cannot help but notice her size. She’s very large, the kind of big that gets you hammered by the piranhas in school. That draws horrid slurs that stick in your heart like the deadliest of poisoned darts. And I wonder how many she’s taken?

I feel the Spirit’s breath, and so I say, “How long have you worked here?” There’s a smile on my face and one in my voice.

She looks up. “About a month,” she says.

“I know that I haven’t seen you here very long,” I say, and she turns around.

I have my purchases, now, in the cart. The Cub is with me, and he’s rarin’ to go. I’ve got so many things to get done, but I feel that check. We aren’t quite done here today.

When she turns back toward me, I lean forward just a bit. “I want to tell you something.”

She’s looking at me now. “I want you to know that I see an amazing beauty in you.” Ah, her face. Surprise lights her eyes, and a smile begins its slow spread.

“You might not be able to see it yourself, so I’m going to ask God to show it to you.”

“Thank you,” she says through that smile, and the light on her countenance is lovely.

Now we’re done, and The Cub and I keep on runnin’. On an ordinary day in the midst of our ordinary lives, we have found us some beauty right here. And somewhere, Jesus is smiling.

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If you are one whose size, or name, or color, or shape, or lack of talent, or different abilities have made you a target. If you still feel the poison from old darts, I have something I want to say.

I see an amazing beauty in you. You might not be able to see it yourself, so I’m gonna ask God to show it to you. Because we are friends and He hears me, I know He will.

Now we’re done, and The Cub and I will keep runnin’. Ah, and somewhere, Jesus is smiling