D.H. Lawrence said something interesting, and that is, “Don’t trust the writer, trust the work.” In other words, don’t trust what the writer says about himself, but go to the work and see what he is doing.

Another quote from Ben Jonson’s Timber or Discovery, “As a man speaks, so is he. Speak that I may see thee.” We speak in a myriad of ways.

If I had the choice between a personal essay or narrative from a friend, and a collection of their favorite poetry, short stories, or musical selections, I’d choose the collection any day. This multi-leveled language is valuable and holds a higher potentiality of edification and insight into a human soul than reality-based divulging.

Just like with your visitor, you revealed who you truly are with sincerity. Sincerity, as it has been said, is being oneself without thinking of oneself, and this man sensed that. No posturing. No need to shock, or impress, or receive a particular sort of feedback. That is true spirituality. And what better communication is that?

Here I raise my ebenezer
Hither by Thy help I’�ve come
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here�’s my heart, oh, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’�s my heart, oh, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’�m constrained to be
Let thy goodness, like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’�s my heart, oh, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above!