Recently, we had a situation at church that deeply touched my heart. One of our dear brothers went missing.

You might wonder—how does someone just disappear?

Let me explain.

This brother suffers from dementia and struggles with memory. Outside of our church family, he has no one. He needs regular daily support, and as a community, we try to do our part.

I was at home when I heard the news. He had left his house two days earlier and hadn’t returned. That was alarming. We knew he sometimes got lost, but it had always happened near his home.

After friends searched for him for two days without success, they let me know. I had things to do at home and started thinking, What should we do? Who can help? A few ideas came to mind, and I acted on them. But then, as I prayed, a quiet yet powerful question stirred in my heart:

“What if that man were your father?”

Was that God speaking to me? I can’t say for sure. I rarely claim to hear Him clearly.

But the thought took root—and began to grow in my heart.

I started to truly imagine that man as my own father.

My dad went to be with the Lord many years ago, and I still miss him deeply. As I imagined someone else in his place, a flood of emotion washed over me—far more than a few tears. It was like someone poured a bucket of feelings over my heart: sorrow, compassion, fear…

The answer became clear:

I would grab my car keys and rush out the door. No hesitation. Even if I didn’t know what to do or where to go, I would drop everything and hit the streets.

And so, I did.

Thanks be to God, after a long search, we found him safely.

But today, I’m not just writing to tell that story.

There’s a deeper question that’s been stirring in me ever since:

What if that person was someone close to you?

This question has the power to change everything.

What if the person you’re doing business with were your brother?

What if the person you’re arguing with were your daughter?

These “what ifs” can completely change how we see people—and how we respond to them.

But there’s also a risk.

This kind of thinking can leave us vulnerable.

Let me explain.

In moments of stress or conflict, if we try to view everyone as someone dear to us—like a family member or a close friend—it can move us to compassion and love. But if the person on the other side doesn’t share that same heart, we might end up hurt. Especially when money, arguments, or power are involved.

One person comes with love and mercy,

The other may come with selfishness or even cruelty.

Often, the compassionate one ends up feeling taken advantage of.

Though not always…

Still, it made me wonder:

Isn’t this how God sees people?

Does He look at even those who sin against Him and still see them as His children?

Is this why Jesus didn’t respond with revenge toward those who hurt Him—

but instead, looked at them with the eyes of a loving Father?

What about Simon Peter, who denied Him?

Could it be that when God says “Love your enemies. Be merciful. Be kind…”,

He’s actually inviting us to see others the way He does?

As family. As beloved children.

Even when they don’t deserve it.

Food for thought.

So I’ll end with this question:

What if… that person was someone you loved?

Maybe you have your own question to reflect on.

I’ll leave you alone with yourself—and with Him.

Stay in love.

Let’s stay in love…