Thrive Walk

No Empathy Needed
By Teresa Alfieri


This second year has become my learning year, on this journey God has provided for me in the Homeless Community. I'm thankful for all the experiences, good and bad, as they have helped bring my focus even closer on the God I serve. He's a tangible God to me. I don't need to reach out and touch Him, because I feel His presence within my soul. I've come to understand that every person I meet has their own unique story to tell. There are as many reasons for people to become homeless, as there are homeless people.

I have come to the realization that I don't need to have empathy for these folks. Surprised?! I was, too. It really doesn't matter if I am able to understand and feel their pain. It just matters that regardless of what their story is, that I see them as God does, through His eyes. God sees all of us as His own and loves us unconditionally. I am only required to love with God's complete love. I don't have to hear the story and understand their pain. I need only to see them as a spirit of God. The vessel the spirit dwells in should have no influence on how I view the person. If they reek of alcohol, are high on crack, are visibly dirty, are swearing at me; none of this should keep me from seeing them as a precious child of God. They shouldn't have to conform to what society's ideas are for being socially acceptable, in order for me to love them. I have only to remember the love God has given me and follow His instructions to "love others the way He loves me." It is in this approach to life that I will be able to share the complete love of God to all His people.

"But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and His love becomes complete in us—perfect love!" 1 John 4:12

Just a reminder: because Tuesday is the only day the folks downtown are not served a meal, we have changed our serving day to Tuesday's. We'd love to have you join us! Just show up with a smile and a willingness to see Jesus in the folks we serve.