Last Tuesday we held client appointments at Homeboy Industries. Before the day began, I stood beside the homeboys and staff as they gathered for daily announcements and the morning reflection.
One of the homeboys shared that morning, and what he said resonated with me. He encouraged us to take time to see one another, explaining that what caused him to truly change his ways was the discovery that when he came to Homeboy Industries, someone saw him.
It made me ask, “Am I taking the time to see who is right next to me?”
His reflection also reminded me of the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), who saw the wounded man along the side of the road and took care of his wounds as opposed to those who passed by earlier, who chose to ignore that they saw the man suffering and continued on their way.
This made me ask a second question, “How am I responding to what I see?”
One of the homeboys shared that morning, and what he said resonated with me. He encouraged us to take time to see one another, explaining that what caused him to truly change his ways was the discovery that when he came to Homeboy Industries, someone saw him.
It made me ask, “Am I taking the time to see who is right next to me?”
His reflection also reminded me of the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), who saw the wounded man along the side of the road and took care of his wounds as opposed to those who passed by earlier, who chose to ignore that they saw the man suffering and continued on their way.
This made me ask a second question, “How am I responding to what I see?”
This past Saturday our amazing volunteers served 49 clients at CLA-LA's first legal clinic of the year held at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. They took the time to see those in need and responded by meeting that need with compassion and grace.
They inspire me to do the same on a daily basis. I confess the busyness of life and horrendous LA traffic sometimes distracts me from taking the time to see my neighbor outside the confines of client appointments or the clinic setting and responding the way God calls me to respond--with love.
But what does seeing our neighbor and responding in love look like? This February, we are thinking through this question at CLA-LA and invite you to join us.
