Outside in the Cold

It is extremely cold out there tonight.  And, there are also people out there sleeping in tents and under bridges.  It is not a common sight in places like the small town which is called home, but in the larger gatherings of people, it is such an ordinary sight that those inside lose their ability to see those outside.  They stand at busy traffic intersections with cardboard signs and alongside full-to-the-top shopping carts.  In some ways they have become the invisible ones.  We turn our eyes away and if we cannot, we look as if we do not see them.  

Jesus had a way of seeing those around Him those whom people did not want to see.  He saw the lepers, the blind ones, the disadvantaged and exploited women, and others not really seen by the righteous of His day.  To some He gave healing.  To some He gave food.  To some He gave compassion.  To some He gave dignity.  But, one of the most important things He gave them was seeing them.  He did not live as One who did not see the invisible ones of His day.  He found ways to meet their needs and to affirm their worth.   Jesus' response to the suffering ones around Him was not a "one size fits all" approach.  

Because we do not know what to do, or because we fear having our generosity being exploited, or because we figure whatever we might do is just a drop in the bucket, we do nothing.  While I must confess to not knowing what to do when the homeless and invisible show up, I do know that doing nothing is not the right answer.  I will sleep warm tonight while they are out there in the cold and it bothers me.  It troubles me.  I pray it always will.