I know a man...

I know a man named Jesus, and he knows all about me. I could tell you a little about him, if you like? I love to tell other people about him, because the relationship I have with him is a friendship unlike any I've ever experienced or known... truly amazing!

What's so truly amazing is that he really does know everything about me-- the good, the bad, the things I've done or failed to do, and even my motives for doing them. And somehow, he looks past all the things I'm still so ashamed of, and he continues to love me, and encourage me to grow.

I don't even like myself most of the time, especially when I think back on some of the things I've done, or the huge mistakes I've made. And yet he wants me to open up and share every part of my life with him, even those private thoughts that I keep so well hidden from other people I know.

I'll admit that it took me a while to let my guard down, and trust that he wouldn't judge me for thinking such things, and doing such things. But all he's ever done with those ugly things in my life was to take them, and he used each one as a teaching point. And then he shows me ways to grow, in spite of the things I’ve been so ashamed to reveal about myself. He has a way of turning my worst fears into confidence, and he helps me make my stronger qualities even better.

My biggest worry was screwing up... you know, not doing very well at learning how to accomplish all the things he was trying to teach me and show me, or not living up to the image of the person I sensed that he was inspiring me to become. There have been many times when I just broke down and cried because of my failed attempts. But Jesus just kept on encouraging me to be honest with him about my struggles, and the difficulties I was having. And most importantly, he always encouraged me to keep on talking to him about such things. He never seems to grow tired of listening, and trying to help.

He often reminds me of the promise that he's made to me in our relationship: "I'll never stop being your friend," he tells me. And I'm finally beginning to realize that having a friend like Jesus means I never have to worry about facing one of the very biggest fears I have in life... the fear of being alone. He knows what it means to be the kind of companion that I desire and need, and that is the kind of companion he has always been.

I hope that I can learn to love him, and love other people, in the same way that he has always been so willing to love me. I believe that this is probably the ultimate beauty and lesson in all of the things he's taught me, and tried to show me... to just let my guard down and experience what it means to really love someone. I know that I can be self-centered at times… but I'm still working on it, and he's still patient with me.

Hey, would you like to meet him? It would be awesome if you'd let me introduce you to him! Because I'm pretty sure Jesus would enjoy having you as a friend, too.