So a few weeks back while home..I got stuck in traffic. and I noticed a man, maybe in his 30s, walking around a parking lot. You could tell he was troubled and lonely. I kept watching him, and the more I did, the sadder I became. I wanted to get out of my car and give him a hug, but instead, I began to pray for him.

As I prayed, I started to reflect on how many of us—myself included—feel troubled and broken at times. We can get so caught up in the difficulties of life and everything happening in the world around us that we lose sight of what really matters. This man eventually walked over to the curb, turned his back to the traffic, and sat down, all alone. That moment broke my heart, and I began to cry. It was just so sad to see. Amen!

I don’t know what he was going through. Maybe he was just having a bad day; I’ll never know. But my prayer for him—and for all of us as God’s children—is that he knows the Lord. From a distance, my heart ached for him. And it reminded me how desperately we need more love in this world. We need more compassion and less selfishness.

I truly believe that’s why Jesus was able to be so fully about His Father’s business (Luke 2:41-52). He wasn’t focused on Himself. He wasn’t praying for His own needs. He was fully submitted to God, walking in peace, kindness, and love, no matter what trials came His way.

But so often, when storms hit our own lives, we become focused on ourselves. Our thoughts and our eyes turn inward, and we miss the needs of those around us. We miss the brokenness in others because our vision is blurred by our own struggles. Amen!

God has blessed us with gifts and talents to fulfill His will on this earth. As Jesus said in (John 14:12).. “Greater works will you do.” With Christ living in us, we have everything we need—His wisdom, guidance, strength, and love—to carry out His purpose. But if we’re too distracted, we miss the opportunity to help, to encourage, to offer a hug, a kind word, or a prayer. We miss the chance to share His love and, most importantly, to share Jesus Himself.

We need to open our eyes and ears to the pain around us. So many people are hurting. They need the Comforter (John 14:26), the true Peacemaker (Matthew 5:9-11), and the life-changing power of Christ. Only Jesus can make the difference.

We can have nothing in this world, but if we have Christ, we have everything we will ever need. He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Oh, what a friend and Savior He is! Praise the Lord!

So today let’s open our hearts, be alert to the needs around us, and be willing to share the love and hope of Jesus..Amen..for it is in His name, Jesus’ name, that I do ask and pray..Amen & Amen..Be blessed today my dear sweet friends, and remember wherever you go and whatever you do, Be a light for our Father, Much love to you all, Mandi