“How are you?”…we ask as we hurry past, without so much as a pause or a glance…

And as we hurry past, hurting people are left in our busy wake…people needing our pause, people needing us to glimpse into their soul instead of merely a passing glance.

What would their eyes say if we looked deep into them?

Would their eyes speak more volumes than their words could if we paused to look? Would they well up with tears because their world is falling apart and someone actually paused to care?

What part of their broken would they reveal if we paused to listen?

“How are you doing”…it’s so often followed by “I’m good!!” Or  “Ok!”…when everything is not ok.

When everything’s actually all messy and broken inside.

I’ve done this. I’ve hurried past, not wanting to take the time out of my day to listen to a hurting stranger. It takes time, effort.

But, I’ve also paused. With the checkout girl at the grocery store. With the cashier at Target. With the barista at the coffee shop.

Do you know what happens when we pause & ask & see people & listen?

First it’s confusion & surprise. No one ever stops and asks them. They look up from scanning items and see someone seeing them.

You know what happens next? When my gaze stays on them and I don’t hurry past?

They start to share. They share that their day is terrible. That their dad is sick. When I asked about their tattoo they tell me the story…

They share, for a beautiful moment in time, their broken life-stuff with a stranger who cares.

Here’s the thing…we can’t fix their broken. But we know Who can.

And maybe for a moment in time they can meet the compassion of Christ through us. It’s different than the rush of the world. Jesus, He paused with people. He saw them.

What if we started interacting with unsuspecting, broken people the way Jesus did? He didn’t shove the gospel down their throat, He SHOWED them the gospel, and He shared Truth with compassion & love.

When we show people Jesus eyes, eyes that pause and look into souls, they just might want to know why we’re different…they might need some Hope to hold onto. Hope coming from someone who has taken the time to care.

Maybe we can take a little time…to pause…look…listen….

~Nicole

“I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:8