Love Sees People’s Insides

We all have hard days no matter how blessed we are

and we all have quiet days no matter how strong we are.

Smiles don’t show the weight we are carrying

and pictures may be worth a thousand words

but every picture doesn’t tell the whole story.

We see photos of adventures or celebrations or milestones … happy faces, smiles, and real moments that feel “share-worthy,”

but we don’t usually see the proof of other real moments like sleepless nights,

confusing or difficult decisions,

tears that taste like fear,

painful self-growth or an act of self-care that is desperately needed yet rarely praised,

everyday courage,

hands wringing or locked in prayer,

or the toll it can take just to breathe through an anxiety attack.

My hope today is that we all offer each other love.

That we remember everyone is going through something.

That we put ourselves on the back burner when we interact and spend some time truly learning how someone else is doing.

That we remember: people see people’s outsides but

Love sees people’s insides.

I like knowing we’re all in this together.

Today let’s honor each other.

Let’s make sure someone else is seen,

no matter what we see.