Icebergs

In the world of special education teachers often talk about behavior of students. In one professional development I had years ago we talked about how behavior is simply the tip of the iceberg of what a student is trying to communicate. That every iceberg you see some of it, but there is so much more going on below the surface. That student who is "all of the sudden" agitated and arguing about a homework assignment may be feeling or enduring way more than what you are seeing. Perhaps that student did not sleep last night due to bad weather and are feeling overtired by the end of the day. Or maybe the boy/girl they like started dating someone else and are feeling upset about it. Just maybe, that student worked hours over the weekend and struggled to complete it because their parent was not around to help them because they were working. It makes any educator pause for a moment to really get down to what is happening.

As we walk among future saints in the making, we all are our own icebergs. You may see that person always coming late and then jetting out right after the final prayer at Mass but not know that they have an hourly job and use their lunch break to attend. Maybe that person seems cold or unwilling to talk because they are doing everything in their power to hold back the tears that will come if they open their mouth and are afraid of being judged or being annoying. Or maybe that person who always seems sad is actually painfully lonely and does not have many friends

There is a song "God Only Knows" by For King and Country that carries this sentiment. In listening to the song the following lyrics bring tears to my eyes:

God only knows what you've been through

God only knows what they say about you

God only knows the real you

But there's a kind of love that God only knows

God only knows what you've been through

God only knows what they say about you

God only knows the real you

There's a kind of love that God only knows

Truly God knows the weight you are carrying. God sees what is beneath the surface of your heart and what is going on even better than we know ourselves. With so much deep beneath the surface of our hearts and souls it is all the more important to pray for one another. Even if you do not know what is going on or "everything seems great" for someone we are called to pray and be loving children. 

So, the next time that person rubs you the wrong way, annoys you, seems to be struggling, or behaves in a way that moves you to sadness or anger - remember they are enduring more than meets the eye. They are a child of God who is loved and made in His image and likeness just like you. 

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Father, You see all of me - my heart, my mind, and my soul. Thank you for loving me and helping me with my suffering and challenges. May I humbly show compassion to every person I come across who has his/her own iceberg. I fully recognizing there is more happening below the surface of what I see with my eyes and desire to see him/her with your eyes to love them more. Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth