I have always thought I was a pretty loving person—
until I realized how often I was only loving people who were easy to love.
It hit me on a Tuesday in a grocery store parking lot. I was rushing Layla into the car, trying not to spill my coffee while digging for my keys, when I noticed a man sitting on the curb, head bowed, holding a sign that simply read:
“Hungry.”
I wish I could tell you I stopped, looked him in the eye, and offered a warm meal and a prayer. But I didn’t. I got in my car and drove away, heart pricked, justifying it with excuses:
- I had somewhere to be.
- I didn’t have cash.
- It wasn’t safe.
Later, as I sat at a red light, I felt the Lord whisper to my spirit:
“Do you see him like I do?”
I didn’t.
But I wanted to.
A Quiet Wrestle
The truth is, I do try to help when I can.
I keep extra water bottles in the car. Sometimes I buy an extra sandwich or give a few dollars when the Holy Spirit prompts me.
But if I’m honest, I don’t always.
Sometimes I’m tired, or in a rush, or the fear creeps in: What if it’s not safe? What if I can’t help enough?
Sometimes, I simply look away.
And Layla—bless her sweet, soft heart—she sees every person.
Every time we pass someone holding a sign, she says, “Mom, look! Can we help them?”
And sometimes I do.
But many times, I make excuses, telling her we’ll help next time while quietly hoping she’ll forget.
She rarely forgets.
The Moment That Changed Me
That night, I couldn’t stop thinking about that man on the curb or Layla’s voice reminding me that people need help.
I realized that seeing others through God’s eyes means letting my heart break a little.
It means sitting in someone’s pain instead of turning away.
It means recognizing the humanity and story in a person I might otherwise pass by.
The next morning, I drove back to that same grocery store, coffee in hand, heart pounding. He was gone. But I whispered,
“Lord, the next time You give me a chance, help me see.”
And He did.
A few nights later, I was in an In-N-Out drive-thru late, when I saw another man standing outside with a sign. I felt that same quiet nudge in my spirit. Honestly, I was nervous. It was late, I was alone, and my mind started racing with: What if it’s not safe? What if something goes wrong?
But I listened anyway.
I went through the drive-thru, ordered an extra combo, and circled back around. I handed it to him with a smile and simply said,
“God sees you.”
He looked at me, surprised, and said, “Thank you,” before sitting down to eat under the glow of the drive-thru lights with his Pitbull next to him.
Then I drove away, heart racing, realizing it wasn’t dangerous after all. <div style=”text-align:center; font-style:italic; font-size:1.2em; margin: 1.5em 0;”> It wasn’t dangerous—it was holy. </div>
And I was so thankful I didn’t miss it this time.
P.S. Careful what you pray for, sister—He will take you up on it, even if it’s in an In-N-Out drive-thru at 10:45 p.m.
Seeing Through Heaven’s Eyes
That night reminded me of something God had already said long ago:
“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature… For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’” — 1 Samuel 16:7
God’s eyes are not clouded by the judgments we make in a split second.
He sees stories, not snapshots.
When we see someone holding a cardboard sign at the freeway exit, we might see inconvenience or fear.
God sees His child, carrying wounds and hunger deeper than the stomach.
When we see the mom snapping at her toddler in the grocery store, we might see impatience.
God sees a woman who might have cried herself to sleep the night before, carrying a weight she feels she can’t put down.
When we see our husbands withdraw after a long day, we might see annoyance.
God sees a son carrying unspoken burdens and pressures we may never fully understand.
And when we wonder if anyone sees us, He reminds us of His Word:
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
Jesus, when He walked the earth, saw the leper everyone else avoided, the children others dismissed, the woman at the well others shamed, the tax collector others despised.
Over and over, He saw the person, not just the problem.
Seeing others through heaven’s eyes isn’t about fixing everyone’s problems. It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to shift our perspective to see the imago Dei—the image of God—in every person, even when it’s hidden beneath layers of brokenness, anger, or need.
Learning to Live This Out
If I’m honest, it’s easier to write about seeing others like Jesus than it is to live it out.
It’s easy to whisper, “Yes, Lord, I want to see like You do,” during worship, but it’s harder when Layla points out someone in need and hesitation rises:
- It’s not safe.
- I’m too busy.
- I don’t know what to do.
Sometimes I stop. Other times I keep driving—and the conviction follows.
But God’s grace meets me there, too.
Seeing others through God’s eyes isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about letting Him soften our hearts daily, allowing Him to interrupt our excuses, and being willing to learn, repent, and try again.
It’s a journey, not a checkbox.
Some days, it looks like buying an extra meal for someone in need. Other days, it’s letting your child see you choose compassion over comfort. And sometimes, it’s simply asking God,
“Help me see.”
And trusting that He will.
A Challenge for This Week
Who in your life is God asking you to see with compassion?
- Is it the child throwing a tantrum?
- Your husband after a long day?
- The neighbor who talks too much?
- The person holding a sign at the stoplight?
Ask Jesus to help you see them through His eyes, and watch how it transforms not just them, but you.
Sister, Remember This
You are loved deeply, seen fully, and chosen completely by God.
The same God who sees you sees every soul you encounter. And He has entrusted you—right where you are—to carry His heart into a world desperate for it.
You won’t always get it right, but His grace covers you. His Spirit will guide you.
Let’s be women who dare to see with His heart—one small act of love at a time.
May your eyes be opened to see the beauty, the need, and the image of God in those around you today.
And if you try, tell me how it goes. I’d love to cheer you on.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for seeing me and loving me even when I fall short. Thank You for knowing every thought and every anxious way within me and still calling me Yours.
Give me Your eyes to see others as You see them. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Let me walk in compassion and kindness, bearing with others and forgiving as You have forgiven me.
Holy Spirit, teach me to pause, to notice, to be present. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Give me courage to step out in love, even when it’s uncomfortable, and wisdom to know when to act and when to pray.
Use me as Your hands and feet, that others may see Your love through me. Let my life reflect the mercy I’ve received, and may I never grow weary in doing good.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Reflection Questions
- Who is God asking you to see with compassion this week?
- How has Jesus seen you in your brokenness, and how does that shape how you see others?
- What is one practical step you can take today to love someone you find difficult to love?
Scripture References
1 Samuel 16:7
Romans 5:8
Psalm 34:18
Psalm 139:1-4, 23
James 1:19
Colossians 3:12-13
Matthew 5:14-16
Galatians 6:9
1 Peter 4:8
This is your place to exhale.
If this blessed you, consider sharing it with a friend who needs quiet encouragement today. Let’s learn together to see with the heart of Christ, one small moment at a time.
