Do you see me?

The day before Christmas Eve. The air has turned cold and the wind whips about me as if tiny razors attack my flesh. Traffic races past and piles up, stacked car upon car, as shoppers bustle about in a hurry to frantically get those last minute gifts for the cherished of their life. It is loud as cars honk angrily at each other, frustrated that there's a limited amount of time to get everything done before they have to rush home to greet out of town guests and friends and ensure dinner is on the table. The sound of the bell from the Salvation Army volunteer rings in my ears as people ignore, pretending they are on their cellphone or distracted by children, so they don't feel any guilt of not searching around for even a few pieces of spare change. The smell of fresh baked bread pours out from an open door of a nearby restaurant as happy patrons exit. Water begins to beat down from the sky and crash upon my face. I would reach for an umbrella but I don't even own a coat. I reach down to remove my shoe, so that I can massage the nubs where my legs once were; they are sore from standing. I hold out my hand, swallowing any ounce of pride I had left, but people just look away. They judge me. They assume I am an addict, an invalid, a man who gave up on life and therefore unworthy of compassion. They don't know my story, they don't even ask. I begin to dance; to put on a show. Society has taught me that it's not enough to just be in need, but if I can entertain them, make them laugh, maybe then they'll search their wallets, passing up the tens and fives for the crumpled up old ones. It matters not to me as I would graciously take anything. It is so cold out and I haven't eaten in days. Am I hideous? Am I that unlovable? Don't they see me? Does anybody see me?

I am homeless. I am a veteran. I am hungry, cold, handicapped and in need. Most importantly, I am God's child. Do you see me?

'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:35-40