Signora Sheila

Doctors sometimes ask their patients, especially older patients, to take cognitive tests. Or a patient who is concerned about his or her own memory, may even ask to take the test. An inability to remember facts or solve problems could indicate memory loss or dementia.

When things are not as they seem

This was the case with a person I know. She arrived on time for her appointment and waited nervously for the nurse to call out “Signora Rossi.” (Let’s say that’s her name.) And she went into the examination room.

After a while the nurse came out and called “Signor Rossi.” So Signor Rossi got up and went into the same room. Doctors seem to prefer to have a family member present during these examinations.

At this point, Signora Rossi seemed confused and dismayed. “That’s not my husband,” she declared.

The doctor and the nurse exchanged knowing looks, with raised eyebrows. You know the kind? They communicate: “We have a problem here.” This patient was worse than they’d imagined!

“This is not your husband?” they asked.
“No, he isn’t. I’ve never seen him before!”

Then they turned to the man. “Is this your wife, sir?” Fully expecting him to affirm that she was indeed his wife.

But he also flatly stated that he did not know her and that she was not his wife! Again, eyebrows were raised.

“Aren’t you Signor Rossi?” they inquired.
“Yes, but I’ve never seen this woman before!”

These medical professionals wondered if they had double dementia on their hands. Oh dear, this is terrible, really terrible, they thought.

Eventually they learned that there had been two Signor Rossi in the waiting room and that the wrong one had answered the summons. So they called the woman’s husband and were able to proceed without difficulty. Happily, neither of them were as confused as they first seemed!

Many things in life can play tricks on us.

Things and people can look like one thing, when they’re really something else.

• Many flowers are cleverly disguised weeds.
• A nugget of gold can turn out to be just a colored rock.
• A broad smile can hide depression.
• Tears can sometimes be the expression of immense joy.
• Someone who seems to ignore you may simply be hard of hearing.
• The way you see yourself may not be the way others see you.
• Just because people have the same last name doesn’t mean they’re related.

A mistaken identity or conclusion can bring joyful surprise or sad dismay. Or sometimes even great amusement, as in the case of Signora Rossi, which at least ended well.

The doctor declared her mentally fit, even though at first she didn’t seem to know her own husband. And she was sent home – with the right man!

But sometimes false impressions can lead to false judgments that can cause problems. The Bible is full of such examples.

• Judas appeared to care for the poor, but he only wanted to steal money – John 12.
• The Pharisees appeared to be holy and righteous, but inwardly they were sinful and self-centered – Matthew 23.
• Judas thought Mary was wasteful and extravagant, but Christ commended her generosity – John 12.
• Martha thought Mary was lazy and selfish, but Christ declared her devoted – Luke 10.

Seen through the eyes of Christ, each of these rash judgments proved to be wrong. Christ looks beyond appearances, into the heart. He never judges a book by its cover, knowing that there is much more in between.

It’s understandable that the doctor and nurse thought that the supposed Mr. and Mrs. Rossi were confused. They didn’t have all the facts.

We too need the whole picture

Our judgment about a person or a situation may seem valid. But we don’t always have the full picture. We get a distorted impression, as if we’re looking into a distorted mirror.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12

We look at ourselves in our distorted mirror and see a puny kitten. But Christ looks at us and knows that through Him we have lion-like strength and courage.

We look at others in our flawed mirror and see their imperfections. But the Lord sees them with complete and perfect vision.

He sees someone like Mary who selflessly gives everything. He sees reckless people like Peter and murderous people like Paul who end up leaving everything to follow Him. He sees a person like Ruth, perhaps from a despised people group. But who loves and serves above and beyond the call of duty. Or like David, who fell into sin, but had a repentant heart.

No, things are not always as they seem, or as we see them. So let’s remember in every situation to peel back the layers and see what’s really going on. Let’s look with eyes of love that seek the best in all people and situations.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

📷 Image credits: cat & lion; thistles