I was visiting with some folks this week, and a conversation came up about how, the older you get, you start to feel invisible to people. Specifically, it was in reference to elderly people—how others don’t seem to acknowledge them anymore. People may not recognize their presence, and they might not even respond when they speak up. So sometimes, it seems like they’ve become invisible.

As I thought about that conversation, I realized how easy it is for all of us to go about our lives—surrounded by people—and yet act as if they aren’t even there. Sometimes, we don’t notice the people right around us.

 We live very busy lives. Most of us have jobs, we all have routines, and we fall into patterns that we live in every day. But in the midst of those patterns, let’s not forget that there are people we pass by every single day—people all around us who might be longing for acknowledgment. They might be lonely. They might need a friend – they might need Christ.

 Let’s make sure we take the time to notice the people around us. Pay attention. Watch and see—does anyone ever acknowledge them? If not, be that person. Be the one who takes the time to talk with them. Interact with them. Be the person who doesn’t treat them like they’re invisible.

– D. Proctor