Recently, my wife (Katie) spent a night in the hospital. Long story. She’s fine. All good. She had a bad run-in with an insect bite that resulted in a bizarre reaction. While there, I learned something very-very-very important.
Being and staying curious about someone solves a lot of problems.
From the time we arrived at Williamson Medical until the time we left (roughly 27 hours) a half dozen doctors came in and out to see Katie. Not all doctors are created equal. The ones that made a difference? The ones who asked the most questions. The ones who wanted to know every detail. The ones who weren’t looking at a screen, but looking at Katie. The ones who kept pressing, kept asking, kept seeking to understand. The doctors who were most helpful were the ones who were the most curious. They sought to understand.
This experience was kind of a “wake up” call for me. It was a vivid reminder to put my phone down when someone is talking to me. It was a call to ask more questions of people. It made me wonder if I would judge people less if I actually sought to understand them. It convicted me of how many times I am staring at a screen (phone, computer, tablet, television) when people made in the image of God are in my vicinity.
The doctors who helped Katie the most were the ones who saw her, understood her, and learned the most about her. I think the same is true about every human being. Perhaps what we all need most in our lives is for someone(s!) to see us, understand us, learn about us, and love us. Don’t you long for that? Perhaps we would get along better, accept one another more, and develop empathy if we sought to understand one’s actual circumstances.
There are 100 “one another’s” in the New Testament. Most of these are commands to care, in some way, for one another. We simply cannot do the “one another’s” if we aren’t curious. We can’t obey Scripture if we assume. We can’t mature as a disciple of Jesus if we speculate. We form a healthy body as we ask. Seek. Understand.
Being and staying curious about someone solves a lot of problems.
Who can you see today? Who can you seek to understand? Let’s get curious, friends.
Love this so much. I know only too well you have to be your loved ones advocate! Glad your beautiful Katie is on the mend!