I’d just finished reading a timely post by Lindsey over at lifelivedfully. I looked up from my reading and watched her take an evening stroll. I’d never met her, but I’d heard about her recent tragedy. Admittedly, I’d been too scared to go over and introduce myself before this point. I was afraid of rejection…afraid to get out of my comfort zone.

But I took one step after another right out of that comfortable place. And I interrupted her stroll. I quickly passed through the necessary introductions and got to the heart of the matter. I told her I’d heard of her tragedy, and that I’d been praying for her. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she told me of her hurt. Straight from God out of my mouth came a verse I can’t remember reading anytime recently: He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3) She didn’t respond, but she didn’t reject either. And now a door has been cracked to share in her hurt, to offer her grief to God on her behalf.

Broken people walk among us…painted smiles hiding hurting hearts. As Christians we know we’re here…in this time, in this place, among these people…for a reason. We have the opportunity to offer Hope to a broken and hurting world. But we must be willing to put one foot in front of another and walk right out of our comfort zones. When we do, something changes…in us.