Eyes to see...

Recently, I was in the car, running errands, radio on. I consider the ability to dial up contemporary Christian music on my radio to be quite a blessing in my life... God often uses it in my spirit as an encouragement. On this particular day, though, He got my attention in another way...

One of my latest favorites came on... Brandon Heath's "Give me your eyes". It's one of those where you just have to turn up the volume a little & sing along. Have you heard it? If not - go check it out: http://www.brandonheath.net/

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Yeah, I mean right now - go! I'll wait...

Ok - now you've heard it - it's great, right? :)

Back to the story...

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Sooo.....I'm singing along as I approach an intersection....
"all those people going somewhere... why have I never cared..."

~sigh~ light is turning red ....

"Give me your eyes for just one second..."

slowing, coming to a stop...

"Give me your eyes so I can see..."

still singing along, glancing around the intersection...

"Everything that I keep missing, Give me your love for humanity"...

Oh, no! There's a 'team' of "homeless people" at several points of this intersection. And, there's one standing right beside the spot where I'll be stopping.

"Give me your arms for the broken hearted..."

Quick, look away before we make eye contact...

"The ones that are far beyond my reach..."

Not fast enough... he shows me the sign he's holding, it's an appeal for help...

"Give me you heart for the ones forgotten..."

I give a small "compassionate" smile, an almost imperceptible nod (no)... and look away as if something draws my attention elsewhere. Seems like it takes forever for the lights to cycle.

"Give me your eyes so I can see..."

"Yeah..... Yeah...... Yeah...... Yeah...."

Green Light! Whew! Glad that's over with! C'mon... you know what I'm saying...right? It's a little uncomfortable in that situation. Stuck there for the moment, you're forced to deal with that appeal in one way or another... give something, yell at him, scowl at him, pretend not to see him, just stare at him... smile, but nod "no". You see, no matter which you choose, you can't escape the response.

I mean, I didn't have money to give him... and he would probably use it for drugs or alcohol anyway, right? And, we shouldn't encourage them to stand there in traffic where it's not safe, right? And, besides that, I've heard stories that these guys make more money than I do! He will never go out & get a job if we let him stand there & get "easy" money, right?

"I’ve been here a million times

A couple of million eyes

Just move and pass me by

I swear I never thought that I was wrong

I need a second glance

Give me a second chance

To see the way you’ve seen the people all along..."

Then it came... that quiet but powerful whisper in my spirit...

"Do you really mean that?

What you're singing...

do you REALLY mean that?"

Wow... it hit me like the proverbial "ton of bricks" - I did not mean it! I was satisfied with the defense I had already worked out, the answers I had already formulated. In other words, I was perfectly content with my own eyes... despite what my mouth was saying!

Today, a couple of weeks later... I can't claim to have an answer to share with you on the plight of homelessness. But, I can tell you that every time I hear that song now... I stop & think about what I'm singing. And, somehow, I suspect that this is only the beginning of the lesson...

A glimpse of joy...

Honestly, I think two-year-olds get too much bad press... the "terrible twos" and all that! God has blessed me with the opportunity to not only have a couple of my own to see through this phase... but, for a few years now, I've been a 2's "teacher". Am I some sort of expert? Nahh... I'm just a mom who wandered into the field. But, I've found that if I listen closely, God uses these little ones to teach me things in my own life. To be truthful, though, it's not always a pleasant lesson... like the times (don't miss the plural there!) He reminds me that the tantrum I'm seeing in front of me isn't all that different from the tantrum I'm living out in front of Him. Oh, it may look a little different on the OUTSIDE, but trust me... on the INSIDE it's much the same! ~Sigh~ But, let's just save those lessons for a different day :)

What's really on my heart today is the beautiful glimpse of joy that I was privileged to encounter a couple of days ago. It was the first day of class for my new friends and it was time to sit down to lunch. I prompted them to use their "praying hands" and began the little prayer song that I use for mealtime. Of course, as their teacher, I model the "head bowed, eyes closed" posture I hope for them to adopt. But, as any wise mom will tell you... ya gotta peek in case one tries to make a run for it :)

So... I peeked. All was well & everyone accounted for. But, my eyes were drawn to one little face... eyes delicately closed, hands pressed together for prayer... and an expression that is hard to describe in words. I just don't think I can truly convey the sweetness I saw in that brief moment. It was as if God allowed my mind to take a snapshot picture of what prayer can be like. It wasn't a set of motions for this little one... it wasn't a duty... it wasn't a struggle for focus. It was pure contentment.

Now, I'm not interested in a debate about 'original sin' versus 'age of accountability'... I'll just tell you that I firmly trust that God has this little child covered and under His protection. I believe Jesus was referring to a small child when He said ...for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Luke 18:16). Maybe even one like the little friend in front of me... able to go to Him in innocence (sins forgiven) and enjoy the sweet presence of His peace & joy.

As adults, won't we come to Him in prayer broken... in tears, in pain? Yes, over sin in our own life & sin in the world. But, when we are in close relationship with Him - giving our life over to Him, confessing our sins before Him... I believe there are times we are allowed to experience that same sweetness that I saw in my little friend... pure, sweet restful joy that we all truly desire.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28) My little friend didn't come to him weary & burdened, but I do think she encountered His rest. And, for just a moment I was blessed to see a glimpse of it on her face... and, trust me, it was beautiful beyond words!