Jesus comes to visit us a lot at St. Mary’s Community Center. It’s not uncommon to hear things like, “I gave Spaghetti-o’s to Jesus today”, “I helped Jesus find a job today”, or “Jesus is sitting outside again.” The first couple of times I heard this, I let it quickly go through my head without giving much thought to what was actually being said. After spending some time with this idea, it challenged the way I viewed my relationships with those I encounter.

Think about it: how different would the world be if before we engage with someone, we go into the depths of our heart and truly believed, “This is Jesus.”

Appointments aren’t needed to get assistance at the Community Center, which means each day beholds unforetold opportunities to encounter Jesus. More often than I care to admit, I don’t recognize when Jesus is in front of me. I still get frustrated. I still don’t put my best foot forward. I still complain about having to help others use technology. And, I still even get disappointed with the number of times I answer the phone.

But, I am getting better at looking in my heart and thinking, “This is Jesus.”

As we move forward, I pray that no matter where we are, or whom we encounter, we are able to recognize Jesus in those everyday moments.

Sara Ghyselinck: St. Mary’s Community Center, Savannah