Just a thought...

This morning I was thinking about some of my high school friends. Many of the ones that came to mind, I've known since Elementary School. But after graduation, many of them moved, headed off to different colleges, and many of us have lost touch. A lot of them chose to get involved in stuff that is far from healthy. And I was just thinking this morning, and really wrestling over this thought...

There are certain people that we lose touch with. There are some people that we try to be a positive influence in their life, but there's only so much we can do. And when it comes time for each of us to go our separate way, then what?

I catch myself thinking about many of them & simply praying that God would send someone into their life to reach out to them & just love them in a way that I no longer can. And then I started thinking about the different people I encounter every day, from people I know well to complete strangers. And I began thinking, I wonder what their stories are...I wonder if there's someone out there praying for them in the same way...praying that someone would come into their life & reach out to them & love them in a way that their friends back in Middle School, High School, or College no longer can.

I wonder if I'm looking for those opportunities to just love others. I wonder if I'm conscious of those around me who are hurting, desperate, hopeless, lonely, ignored, lost, or simply in need of a listening ear or word of encouragement. I wonder if I don't see them because I don't want to see them. I wonder if I've become so me-focused that I forget to open my eyes, slow down my pace, & simply love others.

I'm praying for someone to be that person in each of my high school friends lives that I am no longer a part of. Is someone out there praying the same thing...hoping that I would take the opportunity to love their friends that they can no longer reach?

It's my prayer that I would never be too busy or too me-focused to open my eyes to those around me, strangers or not, who simply need to know that they are loved.