By Brenda M. O’Dell of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.

I almost didn’t see him
In the grocery store aisle
Matted hair and rumpled clothes
Ill-fitting, filthy sweats
Smudged with layers of ground-in dirt.

Carefully he was searching
Under harsh fluorescent lights
The shelf of tinned cat food.
For himself? I wondered,
Or a fellow stray?

Stealing furtive glances at his face
Lined by years and weather,
His feet in worn-down slippers,
I thought, should I give him something?
Offer to buy a meal?

Locked in indecision,
Musing about dignity and worth,
I missed my chance.

He turned away with several cans
Clutched in gnarled fists
And slipped through the crowd
Toward the checkout lanes
Seemingly invisible to others.

The well-dressed shoppers hurried on
With baskets heaped with food,
Checking phones and written lists,
Oblivious to the misfit
Who walked among us.

Had my hesitation
Really been because I had no cash?
Or was it fear to enter his life
Or let him enter mine?

Regardless
The moment slipped away
Without us sharing
As little as eye contact
I, cocooned in my world, he locked in his—
Prisoners both.

Somehow I knew
The moment had eternal significance
And I felt a sense of loss.

Prayer Phrase

“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Romans 13:9).

Spiritual Practice

Healing for Broken Spirits

Begin with quiet prayer. Ask God to help you detect some “sore places” in the body of Christ and God’s creation. Become aware of people who feel separated, wounded, or left out. Reflect on or write a short journal entry of healing words to at least one person who comes to mind. Ask God for words that will touch this person’s broken spirit like healing ointment. Keep this person in your heart and prayers today and act on any ideas that come to bring blessing and wholeness.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.