The One Face In The Crowd

I am going to physical therapy for my back.
Three times a week for the next four weeks.
I have been through this before.
Even though, it is a workout, it is beneficial and helps tremendously.

As I was on the treadmill today, before I began my routine, I saw her car.
It was a friend from church; a young mom with four boys.
Four boys who consider our house home away from home.
Four boys who love to come here and play with all of my children’s old toys.

The windows of the physical therapy office are tinted so she didn’t see me.
I couldn’t get off the treadmill to say hello.
She was right out front.
I was on this pseudo-sidewalk for another twelve minutes as she drove away.

At the end of my hour and a half, I checked my email as ice was put on my back.
There was a new message that I didn’t hear because my phone was on silent.

My children just had their noses pressed against the physical therapist’s office windows trying to spot you.

It made me smile and laugh out loud.
I envisioned four noses pressed hard against the glass.
Eyes peering inside to spot Mrs. Gallagher.
I was probably in the back doing exercises and weights by that time.

I was flattered that I meant so much to them.
They mean the world to me.
A mutual admiration society.
They just wanted to catch a glimpse; I’m disappointed that I missed them.

I’m just a person, but I’m special to them.
We all know the feeling of catching a glimpse of that one face we want to see.
I tell my children that I can always pick them out of a crowd.
They tested that statement at the three graduations we just had in our family.

I found them every time!
I know their walk.
I know the way they hold their head.
I know their mannerisms.

I can find my child out of hundreds every time.

A high school friend that I have recently connected with can attest to this truth.
She has a son who has served our country well in the Marines Corps.
Tours of duty in Afghanistan and now home to finish his undergraduate degree.
I know that she would be able to pick out her son from a crowd of Marines.

She knows the hand she held when he left her.
She knows the posture he holds so straight with the pride he has in serving his country.
She knows the voice and the smile and the face that she longed to see.
Her Sergeant son is now home.

That one face.
A glimpse that makes your day.
A face you long to see.
The one person that makes the wait worthwhile.

Jesus entered Jericho and was just passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’ ” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look Lord! Here and now I give half my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)

Zacchaeus wanted to see that one Face.
Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was; he had heard so much about Him.
Zacchaeus climbed a tree in order to see Jesus.
This wealthy, powerful tax collector threw propriety to the wind.

A tax collector doesn’t climb a tree!
Jesus shouldn’t go to the house of a sinner.
Zacchaeus promised to make amends for any wrong he had done.
Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost.

Despite the crowd clamoring around Zacchaeus, he found Jesus.
Despite the crowd clamoring around Him, Jesus found Zacchaeus.
Each found the other.
The one face they wanted to see was spotted despite the crowd.

At Jesus’ command, Zacchaeus immediately came down out of the tree.
He was spotted; the one face out of the crowd.
All because Jesus called him.
It’s no different with us.

Do you realize that YOU are the one face that Jesus wants to see?
He can always spot you out of a crowd.
His child, the one He knows so well; the one He calls to come to Him immediately.
Come to Him; you will be lost no longer.

 

2 responses to “The One Face In The Crowd”

1. BEAUTIFUL , SAL ; THANK YOU XX OO

   Reply

   • Larry,
     I am delighted that you were blessed.
     How proud you must be!
     Gina

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