Something that is really close to my heart is being noticed, to be seen, to be someone. The feeling that you are appreciated, noticed, cherished, important, valued, that you matter.

Bible says to us:

“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” - Matthew 10:30-31 (NLT)

I’ve seen people on streets, homeless, street kids and other less fortunate. I don’t know why, but God has given me compassion for them. I know how hard it is to live with little money, yet i have never been homeless. So i can’t say how it feels or what it’s like out there. But i see their suffering and i long to help. I wish i had something to give them, that i could feed them, clothe them, get them a bed to stay in. But my deeper longing is that these people would be noticed. How it might feel when so many people just walk by you? You feel insignificant, unimportant, just left there. A lot of these people are without families. Even if they have a family, they might not talk to them. People often view homeless people oddly. Like looking down to them, despising them, resenting them - and i wonder why. I wonder why is that? Or worse, people don’t even see them.

One day i saw this video and it really touched me. People were disguised as homeless and then placed on the street and a close person walked by. WITHOUT seeing them. Without noticing that this was their brother, uncle or whoever! And that is sad. It’s sad to see that, but it hopefully makes people see others more. God values each and every one of us. Where are our eyes then that we don’t see other people? Are we so consumed with our own lives that others don’t matter anymore?
I see homeless or less fortunate people and i don’t have much to give them. I usually have no money to share, nor do i carry always food with me to give them. Even if i had, i don’t think it helps them long term. But what I and you can give is our time. I can listen, hear their story, hear what happened, why they are on their streets, how do they survive there, and do they have a family or people in their lives who could help. And i can pray for them, there and then. They usually don’t mind. Giving your time means a lot to people on the streets. They sit for hours and hours, often in cold and uncomfortable circumstances and seeing people take notice of them warms their heart. I know cause i have done that. Shared my time with them and seen the smiles and joy of being noticed.
See the video here:

So what i want people to take with them is more awareness of your surroundings. It’s very easy to focus on to-do list in your head, on your smartphone and typing, or just be so consumed by your own mind that you see nothing that goes on around you. You are important, valued, appreciated, cherished. Make someone else feel the same by just giving them tiny bit of your time and listening skills.