What do we see in our neighbor?

As I tried to actually see people yesterday I noticed fathers and mothers dropping off their children at daycare. Some come in tired just moving through the start of the day. Some come in energized feeding of the energy of youth. One young man even helped his son get back in the minivan so he could take a larger more dramatic leap out of the door into the parking lot and then they raced up to the door. Sometimes there are tears in separation. Often there is a crowd at the waving window as the parents go off to work. Family is so important.


Later in the day I was in the doctor’s office getting some vaccinations so I could volunteer in the hospital chaplain’s program and while there I observed a man about my age barely able to get out of his chair and walk to the back even with the aid of his wife and a cane. There but for the grace of God go I.

On the way down from the hospital I stopped in to visit Olive Simpson in Buffalo. Her daughter Bev was there whom I had met more than once but never really had a chance to talk to individually. Lesson: Olive is ready whenever her time is ripe. We are not designed to live forever and at some point we recognize that and embrace the fullness of the cycle.

Later that night youth group and choir I was pleased to see them helping to get ready for this weekend’s bazaar and also noticing that I don’t know all of them. I hope that will always be the case assuming that they are bringing in new friends on a regular basis.

Jesus observed everyone from the wealthy to the poor widow and made sure the disciples knew that God valued each of the just as they were. The only condemnation in Jesus’ teaching is set aside for those who take advantage of others while making a show of their faith.

On trying to see as Jesus might see

Mark 12:41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.


It is easy for me at least to be caught up on my own thoughts so much of the day that I don’t see people in any deep sense.

My goal tomorrow is to be a people watcher. I know I will see families bringing their children in to Daycare. I have a couple of appointments of people dropping in to see me. I’ll be at Toastmasters and the up at the Summit to get my shots so I can be a volunteer chaplain on call in the ER or ICU at night. Then I might go over to the mall or some other public shopping area and try and see people as they are.

Before we can learn anything about ourselves or our society or make any judgments about our lives we have to take the time to sit down and look around.