April 13, 2026

One activity my husband and I frequently enjoyed was sitting on a bench at the mall to engage in people-watching. It can be quite entertaining to speculate on what others might be thinking, what purchases they have made, or whether they are in agreement, especially when someone appears particularly passionate about their conversation.

I have a friend who takes it a step further and makes up stories about people she watches. It’s quite fascinating to see her imagination at work. We never know a person’s story, about the lives of strangers passing by. That elderly man with the fedora? He could be a retired detective, still haunted by the mystery of his last unsolved case. The woman with the colorful scarf? She’s a world traveler, collecting stories and artifacts from every corner of the globe. Everyday observations could add layers of depth to the ordinary moments around us.

On a more serious note, there are times when I may see people who aren’t getting along, or a person looking sad while another is trying to get attention by the way they dress. I pray for these ones. I would hope that we would all be looking for opportunities to pray for someone and even share an encouraging word. When sirens pass by, someone in the car will start praying for whoever may be hurt.

We need to try and see people as God sees them. How does God watch us? How does He view us from His perspective? Is He laughing at us when we are having fun? Shaking His Head when we think we know better? Sad at what He just saw? God views us with infinite love and compassion, understanding our imperfections and cheering us on.

Actually, Jesus prays for us! He sees the potential within each of us and desires us to follow His lead in kindness, empathy, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. The journey of life becomes a series of lessons and opportunities for growth for all of us, with the Holy Spirit guiding and supporting us all along the way.