The person who just brushed by you in the store just lost their child.
The person standing behind you waiting to pay for gas just lost her dad.
The person who took a half a second longer to make the right at the light just got a diagnosis that is turning their world upside down.
The person in the car next to you is wondering how they're going to make ends meet this month.
Sometimes we forget that everyone is facing something. Everyone we meet is either in the beginning, middle, or end of a something. It may be small, but it may be the biggest thing they've ever faced.
And some of us are able to face these things with great hope even though we feel great sadness. But many others are not. They are truly lost in their crisis. They do not know His name. They do not know His peace or His provision. Some do know, but they've forgotten. Some do know, but life has taken them by surprise and they are scrambling to grab onto their faith.
It's amazing what happens when we remember this. When we become intentional in our looking at people. Remembering that we carry a great hope around with us that needs to be shared. Maybe it's a smile we give. A hand we lend. A door we open. A word we share.
Maybe it's a meal you provide. A card you send. Maybe it's just your presence and silence. Maybe it's more, sometimes it's less. But whatever it is you give of yourself today, you were made to give it away. It was given to you to be given to others.
Sometimes we don't know how to help those around us, but what's in your hand? Start with that. What's in your heart? Start there.
I try to remember this when someone is doing these things, even myself. You never know what anyone is going through. My Mom used to talk to complete strangers at stores and offer hugs. she passed in 2009. I’m following her footsteps in that area.