I was at Walmart making a beeline for the few items I wanted to grab. Then, I heard something … or possibly heard something. I took a couple more steps. There it was again, I think. The faintest, “Ma’am?” I turned to see an elderly woman sitting on a bench. She needed help, wasn’t feeling well, and decided she wanted 911 called.

That, I could do. It only took seconds to get a clerk’s attention and help was on its way.

Later, I thought, how many times have I missed these opportunities? That voice or look that pleads, “Please, help me.” Those nudges from the Lord that bump us with a direction to go or a message to share. Sometimes, people are too timid or too proud to ask for help but if we watch and listen carefully, we may pick up on hints of what we can do.

John 9 begins simply with “As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth” (John 9:1). Jesus was just moving through His day. So, how would He know there was a need? The blind man wasn’t calling out or asking to be healed. He was silent, probably just sitting along the road. But Jesus saw! He took notice and helped.

Matthew notes Jesus’ heart for people. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus saw people. He saw individuals and showed compassion.

As we go along, may we notice those who need a hand, a help up, or even a smile and kind word. May we have Jesus’ eyes and ears as well as be His hands and feet.