At the grocery story I was enthusiastically greeted by a marketer from our local newspaper. As soon as he had spotted me (the store was virtually empty), he neatly rolled up today’s paper and handed it to me proclaiming: I’d like to give you a complimentary copy of today’s newspaper. I smiled appreciatively and told him I had gotten on in my driveway that morning. For a moment it seemed like I had made his day. That’s GREAT! he responded and went back to his paper laden table.

Before I left the store about fifteen minutes later the same young man had offered me a paper on three different occasions. Each time my response was the same. Each time his response was the same. I felt like I was living the movie Ground Hog Day.

It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that I gave any thought to the man who hoped I would become a new subscriber to the newspaper. At the same time I recalled a conversation with a customer service representative from our satellite television provider. As we had concluded our conversation she profusely thanked me for being a new customer and welcomed me to their “family.” I was glad I had made the switch from cable.

Comparing my feelings about being a subscriber of the newspaper vs. a customer of the television provider was an easy exercise. The obvious conclusion? After these two conversations today I am much more satisfied with being a customer of the satellite company.

I suppose the whole encounter with the man trying to give away newspapers in hopes of gaining a new subscription bothered me more than I realized at the time because hours later I am still thinking about it. But why did those encounters at the grocery store bother me? Because it felt like I was invisible to the marketer!

I don’t like being invisible … well, not all the time. One of my favorite scenes from The Princess Diaries (yes, I like a good fairy tale!) is when Mia, caught in a downpour, is trying to get to the Genovian Ball in her top-down Mustang convertible. After experiencing a recurring mechanical failure and ends up stopped on the hill, she flops down on the seat declaring I am invisible.

I don’t think anyone really wants to be invisible. Mia really didn’t. I don’t. Yet I cannot help but think of how many times I have not noticed someone in need. Sure the homeless person with the “will work for food” sign is hard to miss but what about the person who just needs a smile, or a kind word, or a hug, or just some acknowledgment that they exist and that they matter.

Each one of us in very visible to God because we matter to God. As I try to live out the Great Commandment I am recommitted to noticing the people around me in hopes that no one around me is invisible. I won’t get it right every time, so will you be looking too? Perhaps you will notice someone I don’t!