I was invited to speak at a Church Planters Conference in Nebraska a few years ago. Once I concluded my message, I walked off the stage and headed toward the back of the auditorium to greet and meet many of the Pastors who were in attendance.
I noticed for the first time, an elderly gray headed lady sitting on the very back row. I stopped and gently shook her hand. She kindly greeted me and said, “I really enjoyed your message tonight.” I was honored to hear her comment. But I tried to play it down and use a little self-deprecating humor as I responded, “Are you sure I didn’t put you to sleep back here tonight?”
She looked down toward the ground, as if in embarrassment, and then looked back up with tears in her eyes and said, “I’m so sorry, I have Alzheimer’s, and sometimes I just fall asleep right in the middle of church.”
I quickly replied, “Oh no, no, no, I didn’t see you sleeping back here. I was just trying to be funny.
She wasn’t amused and I again had stuck my foot in my mouth.
It’s in a moment like that, when you must be sensitive to what others are going through.
I knelt down by this precious lady and asked her to tell me more about herself. In just a few moments I felt like I had new best friend.
It’s important that we are sensitive to others.
The Bible teaches us to rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep.
Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
That’s why the word of the day is sensitive. Be sensitive to others today.