I was in the grocery store the other day, and I noticed the girl in line ahead of me.  She was beautiful, and so were her tattoos.  I saw the cashier, too.  A woman with thick, salt and pepper hair swept away from her face.  Both women seemed tired…..the cashier from standing at her job all day……maybe the younger woman from taking care of her children all day.  Both seemed heavy with worry and weariness and busyness.  What I noticed most was their disregard for one another.  They wouldn’t look at each other, neither smiled nor spoke.  No chit-chat between these two.  Each was in her own space.  I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if one of them had said hello? or just smiled?  

 I’ve done the same thing.  I’ve been too busy to notice those around me, too tired to smile. I’ve been too deep in my own world that I didn’t speak.  But I should notice – I should see those around me.  How can I love them if I don’t see them? 

 Seeing them starts with rest – the kind Jesus spoke about   

 “Are you tired? Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me, and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” 

Matthew 11:28-30

May I learn to rest and live out the unforced rhythms of grace.  Then let me see and love those around me.