I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People
- 2020 American Express NGen Leadership Award
We don't care about what we don't see.
Countless people are invisible to us. We overlook the poor and homeless, partly because we don't share much space with them. More seriously, we often choose not to see the realities around us. We hold misconceptions about who is deserving or not, or make false assumptions about people's poverty being their own fault.
Terence Lester calls us to see the invisible people around us. His personal encounters and real-life stories challenge Christians to become more informed about poverty and homelessness, and to see the poor as Jesus does. When we see people through God's eyes and hear their stories, we restore their dignity and help them flourish. And when we recognize our own inner spiritual poverty, we have greater empathy for others, no matter their circumstances.
Let love open your eyes. Discover how seeing leads us to act with compassion and justice―as God intends.
Reviews (57)
All people should read this!!!
This book should be required reading for everybody who can read. If you know somebody who cannot read, get it for them on audio. This will change your vision and your heart. You will learn Terence’s own story and many others’, & perhaps you will see some of your own story in here too. Terence will give you practical steps to help you notice the human beings that are around you, every human being. You never know who you will meet or how being noticed will impact somebody’s day or life. And isn’t that ultimately what we want to do each day? It is my prayer that those I come in contact with will know how important they are and how loved they are by Jesus whether or not we even talk about Jesus. I cannot show somebody how much they are loved if I don’t see them. This is what Terence is telling us, friends. Jesus saw people, he got to know them, he loved them. That is our calling. People - all people - are His favorite!
Inspiring stories, a great resource to learn and do more in our communities
Getting to know Terence Lester and the work that Love Beyond Walls is doing has been an inspiring, eye-opening experience. He is a man with a vision, and a mission, to serve the unseen, and underserved. "I See You: How Love Opens our Eyes to Invisible People" tells the stories of Lester's work - and shares a vision for Beloved Community. I highly recommend the book, and encourage you to follow @lovebeyondwalls on social media to learn more about what the author is doing. Lester uses the skillful weaving of Scripture, storytelling and invitations to critical reflection and engagement to challenge us to open our eyes and keep them open. Great resource for groups wanting to dig in, and do things differently. Love Beyond Walls is a movement of doers. I hope this book inspire you to join them.
An Excellent Reminder of the True Value of ALL People
"Our busyness can blind us to other people or at least make us feel less guilty for turning the other way and walking past someone who needs help...The way we spend the margin we have affects the people being pushed to the margin themselves. " - Terence Lester So much truth...who hasn't found themselves constantly saying "I'm too busy. Too much going on right now." What are we missing in the constant hustle and craziness that has become "life", and how many are being hurt/forgotten in our wake?! This isn't how Christ meant for us to live...if we are too busy to see people around us, something is NOT right. "I See You" by Terence Lester is real, honest, raw and thought provoking. A book everyone should read, probably more than once. But not just a book to read....a book that should spur us to action and change! #iseeyoubook
Lester challenges us "to see the one" - and, in so doing, to see our world anew.
Lester has poured his heart, mind, soul, and experience into this book, and all towards helping each of us -- beginning, of course, with ME -- to turn aside and see the sacred in every person we meet. Part memoir, part meditation, and thoughtfully researched throughout, Lester interweaves his life story, his academic work, and his advocacy expertise in a way that compels me to listen. And not just to listen - but to reflect, to walk back into my daily routine with my eyes open for neighbors nearby whom I have likely passed by on the other side. I heartily recommend this book to anyone and everyone, particularly in this politically divisive moment.
Outstanding
This book is an outstanding read. If you have ever passed or turned away from someone experiencing homelessness or proverty, this book will make you think twice about your actions. Mr. Lester has taken his own life experiences/challenges and used those experiences to bring sound to those who would otherwise have no voice. Many individuals and families are living paycheck to paycheck. One unexpected expense or missed paycheck and those individuals or families could be living on the street or under a bridge. This book is to bring light to those who are living in the margins of society. Mr. Lester points out, in his book, that everyone has some type of Poverty; be it proverty for "lack of money, lack of emotional stability, lack of a loving partner, lack of security, lack of safety, lack of self-confidence." So I challenge the naysayers, before they pass judgment, to take a step back and look in the mirror and find their own poverty.
Important book with much needed perspective
Everyone should read this book. It's written from a Christian perspective, but shares insight that will benefit everyone. The author has dedicated his life to serving those who have been overlooked, such as people struggling with poverty and homelessness. He even spent a week living under a bridge alongside those he serves so he could understand their experience on a deeper level. As he recounts that experience and many others he gives an important glimpse into the lives of people who society so often makes invisible. The book is both compelling and convicting. It is a much-needed call to Christians to open our eyes and see people like Jesus. This is especially true in the case those we tend to ignore like those struggling with poverty. Instead of walking by and averting our eyes, we need to be able to affirm the dignity of the people in need around us and to not assume that we are not responsible for helping them. The author challenges the reader to not only see things differently, but to take action. He also provides questions for reflection/discussion at the end.
Seeing people with our hearts
While on vacation last month I read this book written by Terence Lester. A man who I have been greatly inspired by since reading about his work in the newspaper a few years ago. Ever since I have been committed to spreading the word about his work. Not many of us are courageous enough to make helping others our live’s journey and purpose. Terrance and his family are doing “God’s work.” He is the founder of "love beyond walls." An organization that is closed to my heart. They are delicates to removing the stigma and criminalization that comes with being poverty and homelessness. Their mission is to help us see those who are less fortunate with our hearts so that we can connect with them through compassion and love. I could go on but I am going to ask you to please get this book “l see you” is a life changing read. Also, as the weather changes and many of us are in the process of changing our closets and going through our clothes and shoes; I plead with you to keep his organization love beyond walls" in mind. They are always in need of gently wore or new clothes and shoes. IWe are so fortunate to have homes that we can go to and out of the rain or cold; we are able to walk to refrigerator and get food. Being in poverty has little to do with one’s ability to lift themselves up and is more of a systematic issue. I pray you or your family never have to experience it. Blessing to Terrence, his family and staff.
Support and encouragement for the helping heart
Now comes the latest from Terence Lester, whom I have followed with great interest for a number of years as one of the most passionate and innovative helpers of his time. If you want to hear the truth about the plight of the homeless from someone who (literally and figuratively) walks their talk, look no further. Lester is a master of asking "Why?" when encountering the "This is the way we've always done it," barriers to meaningful and sustainable change -- and then doing something else that makes more sense. Refreshing, right? You will not be disappointed. I See You is a guidebook for opening your eyes to the painful reality of life on the streets as experienced by Lester himself and the friends he makes along the way. It redefines poverty as a lack of access (it absolutely is) and gives the reader tools for examining their biases toward those who are struggling to survive while also carrying the weight of our judgment -- or worse, indifference. I see You implores and empowers you to use your gifts to build a bridge for others. It will open your eyes. It will break your heart. And it will be worth it.
You're going to need a highlighter
I first started reading this book on my kindle, but constantly found myself wanting to highlight sections and fold pages to reference later. Once I received the paperback copy, I started from the beginning and did exactly that. Terence's story is a powerful, personal and moving one. In addition to providing stories and statistics, he fearlessly challenges common assumptions and critiques current interventions and programs. This book makes it clear that each of us as individuals can and should make a difference when it comes to those facing homelessness. Even more, as someone who also overcame circumstances that "many people thought would take me out", this book reminded me how easily my family could have found ourselves in that exact position. As Terence says: "We have to start seeing people as going through problems instead of seeing people as problems." Those that are experiencing homelessness are not what they are experiencing. This is not their identity. And they, just like anyone else, deserve to be seen and treated with dignity. If any part of you questions this, "I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes To Invisible People" should be the next book you read.
Not Just Academic, But From the Heart
I loved that Terence chose to postpone his doctoral studies perhaps indefinitely to get back to the hearts and lives of those he wanted to serve. He kept people and Jesus at the root of his service and reminded us that the poor belong to all of us. They are our responsibility, and we need to see them. Really see them as individuals who have needs that can’t be met by a one-size fits all prescription. It’s a much needed paradigm shift.
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