Thoughts while people watching…

I was sitting in the food court of the Northridge mall today, people watching as I sipped my favorite soda Barg’s Root Beer and it dawned on me how much time I spend being busy and not taking time to just sit. But today I stopped just to sit and watch others, being busy. It’s amazing what you see. First there were two young women sitting, eating, talking and on their blackberry phones. There wasn’t any eye contact, a lot of lips moving but I wondered if they were paying attention to what the other was saying. Then there was the man sitting by himself, drinking a soda head down all the time, not looking up, he seemed sad.

There were tons of teens, mothers with their kids. I even ran into a few family members from my church. Then there was a couple next to me. At first the man sat down started to enjoy his meal, or so it would seem due to the smile on his face and silence from the table. A few minutes later a woman appeared, sneaking up on him from behind. She was thinking it would be funny, he almost choked but a few minutes later they laughed together and then carried on with a conversation.

There were two other women nearby who seemed to be friends heading towards the elevator, as they passed the food vendors I couldn’t help but to notice how they smiled enjoying each other’s company but not much conversation. I especially noticed one of the ladies as she smiled at everyone that walked past her, she looked at them in the face but they looked past her. It seemed as if they hurried on when she approached not disturbed by the smile that she gave but more uncomfortable because of the wheelchair that was her transportation. The woman didn’t seem unnerved she continued on with her friend, into the elevator and down to the next floor then went. This undoubtedly squashed any myth that those who are titled handicapped because of their visible differences don’t have as much fun as those who seem normal. If normal in this case can only be defined as our handicap is internal and not as noticeable as theirs.

The most touching was a father, with his wife and daughter. They seemed happy, the daughter, a teenager, reminded me of myself at that age. She was tall, probably taller than others in her class. She walked behind the parents, smiling every now and then. Was she really happy or did she just know when to smile and play along.

Later, I met up with a friend, we walked along the mall, laughed at the silliest things and I couldn’t help but to start thinking of my life when I was a teenager. Sheltered is too light of a word to use to describe my teenage years, my parents put the shell in sheltered. To go with friends and hang out at the mall was nonexistent. As I’m enjoying this time with my friend I started to ask the Lord what is this about? Why do I have these thoughts and memories now and in the mall of all places? What’s up with this Lord?

Then I heard the word….Forgiveness

There are some things that I just thought I had moved past, the key word was “thought”. Which is why the Lord had to stop me in my tracks and change the plans I had set for myself –focus on others for the afternoon- and turn the attention to some of my inner most thoughts? All the people that I say today reminded me of certain seasons in my life and are a reminder of God’s grace and mercy in my life.


Forgiveness…...one small word that invokes many emotions but best of all not just thinking I have freedom in Christ Jesus but knowing the freedom that I have in salvation also covers a multitude of sins of our own and those that sin against us.

Ephesians 5:1-2
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.