How Are You

Posted by5thgenerationgirlPosted inUncategorizedTags:

Charla was dying, and she knew it. While she was lying on her hospital room bed, her surgeon and a group of young interns poured into the room. For the next several minutes, the doctor ignored Charla as he described her terminal condition to the interns. Finally, he turned to her and asked, “And how are you?” Charla weakly smiled and warmly told the group about her hope and peace in Jesus.

Some two thousand years ago, Jesus’ battered, naked body hung in humiliation on a cross before a crowd of onlookers. Would He lash out at His tormentors? No. “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ ” (Luke 23:34). Though falsely convicted and crucified, He prayed for His enemies. Later, He told another humiliated man, a criminal, that—because of the man’s faith—he would soon be with Him “in paradise” (v. 43). In His pain and shame, Jesus chose to share words of hope and life out of love for others.

As Charla concluded sharing Christ to her listeners, she posed the question back to the doctor. She tenderly looked into his tear-filled eyes and asked, “And how are you?” By Christ’s grace and power, she’d shared words of life—showing love and concern for him and others in the room. In whatever trying situation we face today or in the days ahead, let’s trust God to provide courage to lovingly speak words of life.

REFLECT: What difficult and humbling circumstances are you facing these days? How can you rest on Jesus during this challenging season?


PRAY: Jesus, I praise You for Your example of grace and humility. Please help me reflect these qualities in my words.

Published by 5thgenerationgirl

Tammy Wynette is a mother of three and a “G-MA” (grandma). Born in Warren, Arkansas, she currently resides in Sacramento, CA and is pursuing an AA degree in English at American River College, with plans to transfer to California State University, Sacramento (Sac State). She is an active leader and role model in her community, she works with teens sharing and teaching poetry, as well as providing insight for young parents to prosper. She has certificate from NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) and is a trailblazer & Griot, keeper of stories/traditions passed down from her ancestors. As an Author and motivational speaker it’d be an honor to present at your events to inspire, encourage & let our VOICES be heard! She has short stories and poems published in Our Black Mothers Brave, Bold and Beautiful!

19 thoughts on “How Are You”

  2. Pingback: How Are You – Tonya LaLonde

  5. Very nice to see you back on a consistent basis, Tammy.

    Faith is such a strong and healing force in life and a reminder that no matter how dark and trying the times are, you are never alone and you will get through it – and sometimes be carried through it – thanks to a larger force.

    Hope you have a nice weekend!

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  7. When my brother was dying of cancer at the VA hospital, the doctor and a group of interns arrived every morning to “view” his progress. I don’t remember any of them ever talking to him or asking him how he was. He was just a case study to them. I finally threw them out because it was so insensitive to both my brother and my family. In another instance, I was taking care of a man who had already had one leg amputated. The doctors were talking about amputating the other one. The man was very depressed and clearly did not want his leg amputated. He was also very grumpy and irritable and not very pleasant to take care of. But one day, he looked at me for the first time (I mean really looked at me) and said, “And how are you?” This was very unusual, and I wondered what was going on. During the night he died, and then I understood. Turning his attention to me was his way of letting go. I’ve had other patients do something similar since. And, Tammy, I do hope from the bottom of my heart that you are doing well!

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