SEE Them

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”  – Paul, letter to the Philippians 2:4

Yesterday as my Grand and I were coming home from picking her up from school, we were stopped at a stop light.  There on the corner was an older gal, in an old tattered coat holding a sign that read, “Anything helps.”  Reaching for a bottle of water and with the only cash I had, I tucked a dollar bill around it, when passing her; I stopped briefly, smiling and handed it to her.  Our eyes met.  You could see the hard times in her eyes, the weathered facial expression, and the droop of her shoulders.  Her whispered “Thank you” spoke volumes.  Whispered words can impact more than shouted words with large volumes.

Conviction gripped me as I looked into her eyes.  Do I stop every time?  No.  Do I notice?  No.  Do I acknowledge their presence?  No.  Do I judge?  Yes, and who am I to do so.  I asked God to help me see.  In my seeing, make me aware.   Make me CARE!   Remind me, Lord, that person is someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, daughter or son.  Help me see the need and heed, (adding ‘if at all possible’ – I don’t want to be sitting with a patrol car parked behind me, lights flashing as he tickets me for crossing 4 lanes of traffic haphazardly to give a man a bottle of water – I will walk in wisdom).   I do not want to see and ignore and hastily voice my opinion of their status and proceed through my day as I leave them behind in my rearview mirror. Paul precedes the above verse stating: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” (v3)

As we cruise through this life, may we be aware, may we look and see them, see others.  Looking for ways we can help, whether that help is large or small.  May we take the time to offer a smile, hold the door while they carry heavy bags of groceries, allow someone to go ahead of us in line, give a word of encouragement, take a meal, hold them, laugh with them, cry and pray.   May we be God-focused… others.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)