Martha works as a cashier in the same store. Well into her seventies, she has spent her life selflessly serving others. This might explain why everyone in our area who shops there knows about her. Amazingly, busy moms and teenagers show a surprising amount of patience as Martha meticulously scans and bags their items.

I marvel at how loved these two employees are. As much as I look forward to seeing them and have learned a lot from their model attitudes, I also know they could easily be targets for cruel remarks and behind-the-scenes jokes. Could it be that, like me, many customers see what God sees? Is it possible that God placed these two in that busy store to be lights for Him and reminders that He values a servant’s humble heart?

In our image-driven culture it’s easy to overlook or criticize those who look different due to age, disabilities, weight, or some other supposedly negative trait. We sometimes forget they are precious souls created and loved by God and made in His image. These traits might be the exact things that God purposed for His glory.

When God sent Samuel to find and anoint the future king of Israel, he was told to ignore the physical and remember what God sees—the heart. While we live in a world that values youth and beauty, God values inner beauty.