An Inkling
Sarah sees it the minute I walk in – a tension in my brow, a drawn corner of the mouth, a dimness in my eye. And so she asks, “Hey, you look troubled. What’s happening?” I do the same for her when I see that “look” on her face.
As often as not we’ve not been aware that we were troubled. We’ve just been pressing on and tending duties, focused on the particulars of the day. But at a deeper level something was troubling the subterranean waters of the soul. And the “waves” showed in our countenance.
“Countenance” is helpful word, but not one we use much. It means our facial expressions in their full range, from the obvious to the subtle. We learn to read these reflections of the soul in those we know well.
And we bless them when we call forth an explanation of what we see, be it a bright or a dark countenance. The face hints at what the heart needs to speak.
When the countenance is dark, we serve each other by enabling our loved ones to express what’s stirring around in the deeps. Troubles identified and expressed verbally somehow become more manageable than those lurking in the depths and showing only in a wave on the brow.
It’s what Paul was getting at in his letter to the Philippians: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. When the Lord sees our troubled countenance, he offers the same question as Sarah offers me, “Hey, you look troubled. What’s happening?” He’s not too busy! He wants to hear! And we need to speak. Let your requests be made known to God.
Paul’s wise heart prescription is followed by a dear promise: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. May his peace not only guard your heart and mind, but lift your countenance!
Speak forth!
Keith
