From the Inside Out

Have you ever had the opportunity to get to know someone from a distance without ever seeing them or developing a perception of who they were? Sort of getting to know someone from the Inside -- Out, before your eyes and brain kick in. Let me reassure you, it is not like the inside out experience when your clothing is reversed.

It seemed appropriate for me to describe my first opportunity to experience getting to know someone this way today because it is Valentine's Day. I want everyone to know how incredibly rewarding, exhilarating, natural, subtle and fun getting to know a man's heart can be before setting eyes on him. Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Because I have always been a fairly visual person, this experience at first had me feeling a bit awkward and uncomfortable. It didn't take us long to connect and begin to get a comfort level with words. I found myself looking forward to the texts, emails, blogs and occasional voice conversations from this mystery man whose geography and place in life prevented us from meeting for a couple of months.

Over the time a friendship developed like none I had ever had with a man before. It was safe and healthy. I have learned things about myself through this experience that have helped me see beyond the flesh. I have to admit I am a bit ashamed that I have been shallow at times with people especially in light of being recognized in my career as somewhat of an expert in relationship building. It makes me wonder how many pure hearts I have known that I never got to know.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! I highly recommend getting to know people from the inside out.