What Women Want - Girlfriends in God - August 11, 2014
August 11, 2014
What Women Want
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
She (Hagar) gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me’ (Genesis 16:13, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Everyone wants to be noticed, to be cared for, to be loved. How my heart breaks with David’s words, “No one cares for my soul” (Psalm 142:4). He is cried out during one of the darkest times in his life and felt all alone in his struggle to survive.
We might expect to hear those words from the crowded city streets as men and women scurry about in their power suits off to make the next deal. We wouldn’t be surprised to hear those words from a vagrant huddled under a bridge with all his worldly possessions stuffed in a plastic grocery bag. But would we expect it from the person sitting beside us in the church pew, the co-worker in the next cubicle, or the mother of three next door?
While flying from the east coast to the west coast, I watched an in flight movie—a cleaned-up version of What Women Want starring Mel Gibson. Mr. Marshal (Mel Gibson) worked at an advertising firm with a host of busy men and women bustling about in their own little self-absorbed worlds.
In a strange twist of events, Mr. Marshal is “electrically altered” when he slips in the bathroom and falls into the bathtub, along with a hair dryer. When he regains consciousness after his shocking experience, he has the ability to read women’s minds and hear their thoughts. With his new perceptive powers, he lands a huge Nike advertising account and wins the heart of the leading lady…of course. But there is one poignant sideline of the movie that grabbed my heart.
In the movie, Marshal heard the thoughts of one young nondescript woman in his office. What if I just jumped out the window? Would anyone notice? I could be gone for days and no one would notice…until the files started piling up. Then they’d say, “Where’s the geek with the glasses who carries the files?”
No one did notice the errand girl who refused to make eye contact with her fellow employees, except Marshal, who could hear her thoughts.
One day, the young woman (who we learn is named Erin), doesn’t show up for work.
“Where’s Erin?” Marshal asked as he notices a pile of files sitting on her desk.
“I don’t know,” someone replies. “She didn’t show up for work today.”
Fearing the worst, Marshal finds Erin’s address, rushes to her apartment to stop her from ending her life.
Bursting into her apartment Marshal sees a suicide letter lying on the table, and his heart sinks.
Then a startled Erin walks into the room.
“Mr. Marshal, what are you doing here?”
“I’m glad I got here before you hurt yourself.” he replied.
“What makes you think I was going to hurt myself?”
“I just sensed it,” he answered.
“Really? You sensed it? That’s not good.”
Then Marshal brilliantly changes course. “The real reason I’m here is to offer you a job. You know we got the Nike account and we were wondering who would be a real spitfire to work on this project…”
Marshal offers Erin a job and rescues her from the despair of feeling unwanted, unloved, and unimportant.
I’m not suggesting that you watch the movie. After all, it was a cleaned up airline version. However, I am suggesting that you ponder the situation. I believe that men and women walk past us every day, just like Erin in this movie, who feel that they have no significant purpose in this world. People who feel that their sudden disappearance would cause little fanfare or concern. It might be the woman who passes you in the hall at work, the rebellious looking teen who shuffles by you at the mall, or the businessman dashing to his next appointment.
It takes so little to let someone know that they are significant—that you see them—that they matter. You have the ability to give someone hope by offering a simple word of acknowledgement or encouragement. You have the capacity, with the words you speak, to change the course of someone’s day…to change the course of someone’s life.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, help me to be aware of those around me today. Help me to see others through Your eyes. Give me the courage to give a word of encouragement to one of Your children who needs it today. Thank You for always seeing me, loving me, and caring for me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Let’s go back up to today’s truth. Hagar was a woman who felt ignored and all alone. But then God showed up.
Go back and read her amazing story in Genesis 16.
What do you learn about God from this story?
Hagar was not one of God’s chosen people, the Israelites, and yet, He cared for her. The Hebrew name she called God was El Roi, the God who Sees. Remember today that God sees you!
More from the Girlfriends
You have a powerful force, right under your nose. To learn more about how to use your words wisely and control your tongue, see my nook, The Power of a Woman’s Words. One way you can use your words well is to pray for your husband. Come visit us over at The Praying Wives Club and pray for your man.
On September 8, 2014, I’ll begin my on-line fall Bible Study on The Power of a Woman’s Words. I have the book and Bible study guide specially priced for the months of August and September. Those who sign up will receive access to free video lessons and a free video viewing guide. Click here to view a sample video lesson. This is perfect for church groups, small groups, or individual study. Click here to sign up and learn more. We’re going to learn about the power we possess, the people we impact, and the potential to change. Hope to see you there!
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