“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” —Matthew 25:40 NLT

Our worship service had just ended, and I was searching for someone to chat with during those first few moments afterward. As I looked around, people I usually catch up with were already engaged in conversation or had left the room. Off in the distance, I spotted a friend by herself. We hadn’t talked in quite a while, so I headed her way and said, “Good morning! How are you?” I knew immediately that she was struggling. She shared that she was marking the anniversary of the deaths of two loved ones, one of whom was her mom. We talked for a while about the circumstances surrounding her mom’s death and how hard it has been for her this past year. They were very close, and now there is a hole in her life that only her mom could fill. As our conversation came to an end, she said, “Thank you for coming over and saying ‘hi.’ I’ve attended for decades, and sometimes I still feel alone here.” I was not expecting her to end our conversation that way! Then I realized how often I feel the same way, whether at church or at other social gatherings. When someone comes and greets me, it makes me feel seen.

Despite our “connectedness” through various forms of social media, we know that people today are lonelier than ever. God, in His wisdom, created us to be in relationship with one another. Has another human being blessed you lately? Did someone bring you laughter just when you needed it most, give you a new perspective, or help make your load a bit lighter?

Read what Jesus says about reaching out to those in need:

“‘For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing.
I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you
hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
—Matthew 25:35-40 (NLT)

The chairs in our churches are filled with lonely people. We are surrounded by those who long for just one person to notice and greet them. What if, in those first few moments after the service, we sought out the lonely and the isolated before greeting our friends? By reaching out to the one who feels like a stranger, we are welcoming Jesus.

Father, help me to see the lonely, to stop, and to cause that one to feel worthy of being noticed. She has been created in Your image. Remind me that by reaching out to her, I am welcoming You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
so that we may sing for joy to the ends of our lives. (Psalm 90:14)

Judy Wilson

Sweet Selah Ministries 

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet

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