A friend of mine died last week. She was a Sister of Mercy for 73 years and, aside from my mother, was probably the most influential woman in my life when it came to ministry. At her funeral, the priest told a story I had heard before but long forgotten.
A family goes to a restaurant for dinner and mom and dad order steak. The child orders a hot dog. “No, no,” Mom says, “Bring him a steak, potatoes, and carrots.”
Ignoring the mom, the waitress asks, “Would you like ketchup and mustard on your hot dog?” The child answers and the waitress departs.
Stunned, the mom and dad stare at the child. “See,” the child says, “She sees me.”
That’s what Sister did for everyone she met. She saw them. Each person was real to her and when you spoke to Sister, you were the only person in the room.
So that is my challenge this week: to see people. Put the phone down, resist the temptation to look at the watch, ignore the email, focus. See people in a way that gives them dignity.
Sister would appreciate that.