W
e can tend to get into such a routine, we do not notice those outside of our box. Our box may be the same pew we sit in each week at church. We talk to the same people each week. But we don’t notice the lonely widow who comes in each week, and leaves quietly, never talking to anyone. She might be the one in your church in outdated clothing, appearing to not care how she looks and seems unapproachable. It’s easier to keep our distance, just observing, maybe even whispering “did you see what she was wearing this week?”. Little do we know that how lonely she is. She might glance at the little kids, and we think, she turns away from them, because she mustn’t like kids. Instead, it’s because her heart aches for the grandchildren that live across the country. Maybe she needs one of our children to just add some spark in her life, sing her a song, or bring her brownies. I wonder if she’d come the following week, with a sparkle in her eye, lipstick on, and instead of rushing out the door, lingering for that five year old to come give her a hug again.
How often do we ask someone how they are and get the usual “just fine” – but do we really know? How often are we willing to be vulnerable and share a need, or dig a little deeper with someone and ask, “but how are you really?” Our we teaching our children compassion, to the “least of these“.
Recently one of our sons stopped at a neighbor’s house for a garage sale. He introduced himself to them, as they had just moved in several months previously. Though we live in the country, there are numerous houses on our street. They told him he was the first neighbor they met, that everyone just seems to be to themselves. I need to stop procrastinating on making a couple loaves of bread to take to them, and introducing myself as well.
What are those around us hungry for? Does someone need a phone call, a card, a lunch date out, help with house cleaning, or just a simple hug. As Believers, how are others to see Jesus in us, if we do not care or show Him, in what we do or say in our daily living?
Do They See Jesus in Me?
(chorus)
Do they see Jesus in me?
Do they recognize Your face?
Do I communicate Your love and Your grace?
Do I reflect who You are in the way I choose to be?
Do they see Jesus, Jesus in me?
This week, Amy is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” at her site, “In Pursuit of Proverbs 31“. Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote. Then come back here on Friday, for next Tuesday’s new quote for In ‘Other’ Words. Be blessed.
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Writing Canvas 
Very nice post my friend.
Yes Loni,
We do need to get busy. I also need to make some bread myself and bless a neighbor.
We just never know…
Great post!
Been thinking of you and praying. Keep prodding my friend♥
Thanks for the timely reminder Loni. We need to reach out. Bless you!
It’s when we make an effort to keep something in the forefront of our minds that it goes from effort to effortless.
Great post!
Bless you sister!
This makes me think of an experience I had this morning and that I’ll probably blog about later this week. I went out walking before going to work and was really hustling because I knew my time was limited. In fact, I had considered not going but then reconsidered because I’m such an exercise/health enthusiast.
Anyway, an older woman (late 70’s or early 80’s) who was also out walking stopped me and asked me my name, where I lived, what my maiden name was, and so forth. She then showed me her leg where she’d been bitten by a couple of dogs a month ago. Ouch! The wound still looked a bit infected…red and angry looking. I kept thinking, “I’ve got to hurry and finish or I’ll be late for work,” and then I heard her say that she was alone in life. Her husband died decades ago, and one of her daughters died three and a half years ago. Today would have been her 54th birthday. My fellow (sister) walker began to cry a little, and we hugged. She said she’d never gotten over it and doubted if she ever would. She has another daughter who lives out of state and doesn’t get to visit that often.
Anyway, all that to say that I’m SO GLAD I stopped to talk with her a few minutes. We never know what’s in a person’s heart or how she might be suffering.