Happy Friday, everyone!

You know, airports are full of people and most people here are carrying more than luggage.

Some are excited, some are exhausted, some are grieving, some are nervous or fearful. Of course, it isn’t just at airports. There’s people in grocery stores, workplaces, our community events, and yes, even our churches.

People are everywhere. And everywhere there’s people, there are lots and lots of different stories, emotions, experiences. And though they may be as unique as there are people, one unifying thing that is true for all, we have and are in need — need to be seen, need to be heard, need to be loved.

The question is, do you see it?

At Lutheran Church, we believe compassionate companionship. And underneath everything we do — Disaster Response, our K-9 Comfort Dogs, Spiritual First Aid™, our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion — is a simple philosophy: BE THERE.

Be there to bring the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.

Be there.

But before you can be there, you have to see. And Matthew reveals how clearly Jesus not only understood this, but lived it out.

“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

Jesus saw them. He listened. He saw the harassment from rulers, authorities, family members, friends, and enemies. He saw the helpless brought on, the helplessness brought on by sin, brokenness, and the difficulties of life.

And as the Good Shepherd, He saw their ache for someone to care for them.

Compassion starts with sight. You cannot accompany what you first do not notice.

So the first movement of compassionate companionship is simple. See.

See the anxiety in the boarding line.
See the grief behind the silence.
See the frustration masking fear.

And when you truly see someone, you dignify them. You say without even saying words, you are not invisible.

So this weekend, wherever you are, wherever you go, in an airport, in an office, a church, a grocery store, ask God for eyes to truly see. Because before we show up, before we stay, we see. And that’s where compassionate companionship begins.

Next week, I’m going to share the second two steps of responding to the hurt around you. But as we head into this weekend, let’s pray.

Prayer
Dear God, thank You very much for the gift of today. And thank You for the fact that You saw us and You continue to see us in our need. Open up the eyes of our heart that we might not only see You, but that we might see others the way You see them, seeing their need and being able to be there with them. We pray this in Jesus’s name. Amen.

ITTT