We have a vine, a Virginia Creeper, that grows rapidly on the stone tower of our house. It’s hard to control and often covers the window screen of my study before I can trim it and put it in its place. I actually like the effect, or at least, I use that excuse to take the pressure off my landscape maintenance responsibilities.

The colors of the leaves glow beautifully when seen from the inside. The details of the vine and the pattern created intrigue me. It’s a different view than seeing it from the outside. I see the living vibrancy of the plant and feel a connection to it in some strange way; this is an inside-out view.

We read that man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart; this is an inside-out view. Don’t criticize someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes; this is an inside-out view. Empathy is an inside-out connection: seeing, feeling and living as another.

I challenge you to get into the lives of those in your world. See things from their perspective. Feel their emotions of joy, happiness, fear, and sadness; and risk experiencing emotions you have never felt before. Let it grow on you, and don’t be so quick to cut but long-suffering to heal.

In John 15-17, Jesus uses the vine as an illustration of our relationship with Him. He is the vine, and we are the branches. He wants an intimate connection with us as He has an intimate connection with God. He wants us to have an intimate connection with each other. You in me, I in you; we are all connected. That’s an inside-out view and a through and through family connection.

—Larry Smith