No Blog

Well almost no blog

 

 

Somewhere in time, the day before yesterday, it was Christmas.  I should be reflecting on Christmas or making New Year resolutions.  I should be, but I’m working today.  I worked the day after Christmas. 

I’m thankful I have a job, but this time of year it feels like I don’t have time to celebrate.  I work overtime like crazy and then I have one day to celebrate one of the most spectacular events in human history.

So in honor of the days after Christmas – for those of us who would still like to celebrate, I give this verse to ponder.

 

Psalm 118:24New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in in it.

Happy day after Christmas.

 

The Christ Candle

O Holy Night 

 

 

Somewhere in time, approximately two thousand and fourteen years ago, a child was born in a manger.  This child revolutionized the world.

The Final Candle of advent is the Christ Candle. Traditionally it’s a white candle.

That special night Mary knew the child she carried was Holy.  Joseph knew the Christ child was to be born.  But did they expect the angels, the star or the wise men.  Probably not, but imagine how wondrous that all must have seemed.  

Did they expect when their child was still young, he would be amazing elders in the temple?  Did they know he could make the lame walk or the blind see? 

Did they know he would be crucified?

Did they realize that twelve hundred and fourteen years later, people would set aside a day to celebrate the birth of our Savior?

I don’t think they did.  I think our human minds can’t grasp the vision of God. But they knew, from that day on, the world would change.  

Matthew 1:21New King James Version (NKJV)

²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Christmas is a time to remember that love came to earth.  God stepped down from His throne in heaven, to humble himself and be born as a baby. In the most humble of circumstances, in the most humble of places, the creator took on the form of the created in order to show His infinite love for us.

As we celebrate, the most holy of holidays, let’s give glory to God on the highest.  Merry Chirstmas!

 

 

Shepherds watching thier flocks

Advent, the third Sunday

 

 

Somewhere in time, this Sunday, it’s the third Sunday of Advent.  Learning about Advent has been interesting.  Each special part of the Christmas story is celebrated.  This time, it’s the shepherds.

With the Shepherd candle, we celebrate joy and hope.

If we think about it, shepherds were not the rulers of society. They were not revered, or wealthy or powerful.   They lived alone at times, out in the elements, guarding sheep. 

But God wanted to show that his coming was for everyone.  There were wise men following a star, but there were also shepherds just watching their sheep. Doing what they always do with no idea of the miracle happening nearby.

Suddenly the sky grew bright as a host of angels appeared. 

Luke 2:8-14New King James Version (NKJV)

Glory in the Highest

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold,^[a] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”^[b]

Sometimes, when our lives are filled with the daily grind of responsibilities, we may feel like shepherds.  We are not rich, powerful or even known or respected by thousands of people. 

But God came to earth for us.

Our joy doesn’t come from our circumstances and our hope is not in this world. 

What could be better than that?

 

The Bethlehem Candle

Advent – 2nd Sunday 

 

 

Somewhere in time, tomorrow is the second Sunday of Advent. The second candle is the Bethlehem candle.  

Bethlehem was part of prophecy; it was known the Messiah was to be born there.

It brought to mind something I saw on television a few years back. They tried to unravel the mystery of Jesus and basically they were so far off it was funny.    One theory was that she was an unwed mother, so the stories of angels and miracles were told to hide this unpleasant fact. They traveled to Bethlehem to make it look convincing.

Well – come on – they are missing several parts of the story.

How did this young couple convince Caesar to issue a decree that would send them to Bethlehem?

How did they get wise men to travel for many months to see the newborn child?

How did they make the angels appear to the shepherds watching their sheep in the hills?

How did they convince a star to shine so brightly people could see if for miles around?

How did they know to flee to Egypt right before the decree to kill all infant boys in Israel was enacted? 

I think it’s easier and makes much more sense if we just agree that Jesus was God made man.  God stepped out of paradise to join the people of earth in the most humble of circumstances – but the entire universe knew the ruler of the universe was here.    

 

Micah 5:2New King James Version (NKJV)

The Coming Messiah

² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.”

 

 

 

Advent - The first Sunday

Prophecy 

 

 

Somewhere in time, tomorrow, it’s the first Sunday of Advent. 

Advent is not something I have normally celebrated as part of Christmas, but as I learn more about it I wonder why I haven’t.  There are four Sundays in Advent. There is a candle lit for each Sunday. The first is tomorrow and it’s a purple candle - purple is for royalty. It's a celebration of the prophecies of the coming Savior and king.

It was prophesied that Christ would be born in Bethlehem. That he would be called out of Egypt. That he would be called a Nazarene. 

The virgin birth, the death upon a tree – where all prophesies told long before Jesus walked the earth.

Yet when Jesus walked the earth, the people who knew the prophesies the best didn’t recognize that Jesus was the fulfillment of them. 

Perhaps if they had done a little checking they would have found that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His family had fled to Egypt to escape the Herod’s attempts to kill newborn Jewish children.  Why couldn’t they put two and two together?

Well, there are more prophesies waiting to be fulfilled.  Christ came once as a suffering saint, and the world missed it.  He is coming again as a conquering King.  Let’s not be caught unawares when that happens.

Isaiah 9:6New International Version (NIV)

⁶ For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

 

Mandisa - What Child Is This? (Official Lyric Video) from mandisa on GodTube.

Being Thankful

It’s a matter of perspective.

 

 

Somewhere in time, this Thursday, America celebrates Thanksgiving.  The pilgrims gave thanks for surviving the winter. They gave thanks for food, shelter and health.  After the battle of Gettysburg, during the Civil War, President Lincoln established the Federal Holiday to celebrate Thanksgiving.

I love having a holiday to remind us to give thanks, but I have been thinking about that.  What we are thankful for is a matter of perspective.

If we only have one pair of shoes and they are tattered and torn, we may not be thankful for them until we have no shoes at all.

If we have a job that is a daily drudge, we may not be thankful until we suffer the loss of that income.

If our home needs work, or it’s too small, or it’s not in the location we want; we may not be thankful for it until we are homeless.

I was watching a documentary about Corrie Ten Boom, one of my hero’s in the faith.  She and her entire family were arrested in World War II for hiding Jews from the occupying Nazi’s. She and her sister were together. One of the prison camps they ended up in was Ravensbruck.  It was notorious as one of the worst. They were placed in a barracks that had twice the women it was designed to hold. It was filthy and filled with lice and fleas.

They found out, however, that the guards would barely set foot in their barracks because they did not want to be infected by the lice and fleas.  The two sisters were thankful they could openly share from their small Bible and pray with the other prisoners.

What are you thankful for today?

1 Thessalonians 5:18New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

  

 

Oh

The Things We Say

 

 

Somewhere in time, or maybe every day in time, someone has said something they wish they could take back. I have been on both the giving and receiving end of hurtful comments, so I understand the hurt they can bring. 

Have you ever had someone say something to you and it really hurt?

As a child we used to chant – sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me. 

That is one of the biggest lies I know. 

The words I say have become more important to me as I have matured in life.  I am far from perfect.  Sometimes, I think I’m being funny when I say something hurtful, only to have the still small voice remind me how hurtful it was a little later.

James 3:9-10 (NIV)

 ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

This is my prayer for today and every day:  Lord, help the words I speak to build up and not tear down. Help my words to bring life to those who hear them.

 

Rarely for a good man

will someone die

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I had a God moment.  This happens every once in a while and normally when I need to be reminded of something.

I have very long hair and one morning I was braiding the hair on the top of my head to keep it out of my eyes for work.  I do this several times a week and it normally only takes a few minutes.  Only this time, the first time through something went wrong and I had to take it out and start again.  The second time was equally disastrous.  I started to wonder if I should choose a different hair style for the day, but I gave it one more try.  My arms were starting to ache from being held up over my head so much.

That is when this thought hit me.

When Christ was hanging on the cross, His arms where stretched out. They were nailed by the wrists to a wooden beam.  If my arms were sore just by holding them up to braid my hair, imagine how much more Jesus’s arms ached.  Of course His pain didn’t stop there.  If we relaxed his arms, it restricted his breathing.  He would need to pull up on His arms or push up on his feet which were equally nailed to a beam, just to get a breath.

This thought reminded me how much God loves me.

I held my arms up for convenience and vanity.  Christ held his arms up for love.

He didn’t have to die, He chose to die.  He knew there was no other way for us to gain salvation than for someone to die for our sins.  He did it so we wouldn’t have to.  That is love.

Romans 5:7-8 New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

A Plea for

Reformation Day

 

 

Somewhere in time, yesterday, it was October 31^st.  This is the day when I wage a silent protest against Halloween.  I don’t understand the fascination with Halloween. Sure I understand a kid’s love of candy and even I like to dress up at times, but Halloween?  Why celebrate a holiday with dubious origins which focuses on witches, ghosts and ghouls.   Yes, I said this last year, but I believe it can be repeated.

October 31^st, should be celebrated as Reformation Day.

On October 31^st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 theses of contention to the door of the Wittenberg church.  He was not the first person to attempt reform of the Christian church, but he is still considered the father of the reformation. 

Martin Luther did extensive studies on the scriptures and he realized the error the church was making.  He wrote his 95 disagreements on paper and nailed them to the church door for everyone to read.  People copied the notes by hand and handed them out to everyone they knew.  

He had good points and most people agreed with him.  The church however did not care for being publically challenged, so they called Martin in to answer the charge of heresy.  At the meeting, he was given the chance to recant.  His response was:

                              Unless I am convinced by proofs from scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not recant, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience.  Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.

I love reformers, but I realize after a while the stories all sounds similar.  They study God’s word, they normally translate it, they tell others and they are persecuted. It may be similar, but it’s always admirable. We need people to look up to when times get tough and reformers are such a group of people.  They stood up for what they believed against unbearable odds at time and they changed the world.    

Martin Luther wasn’t killed for his beliefs, but he did suffer for them.  Despite the persecution he stood strong and followed his faith.

Romans 1:16 (NKJV) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

When I think of Holidays, I think it would be nice to celebrate something pure, holy or lovely.  If the Bible tells us to think on these things, it makes sense that we should celebrate them also.

Reformation day can be a day to stand up for what is right even against overpowering odds.

Learning Lessons

Or needing help?

 

 

Somewhere in time, last Saturday, my car broke down.  This is something that can happen to anyone, but I think God was using it to teach me a lesson.

Galatians 5:22-23New King James Version (NKJV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

I know the first of the spirit, I have read this verse many times, but God was giving me the opportunity to put it in practice. 

I had gone to the grocery store and I had pulled my car right up to a concrete planter.  In the planter was a tree.  I then went to put my car in park and it wouldn’t go into park.  I couldn’t put it in reverse either, my only option was drive and well, there was a concrete planter right in front of me so I wasn’t driving anywhere.  I sat for a few minutes and tried everything I could think of to no avail.  What made everything a little worse is my keys don’t come out unless my car is in park. 

My first thought was a plea for help.  I needed help. I needed wisdom.  I really wasn’t sure what to do.

The manufacturer of my car offers roadside assistance, but alas, I am three months out of warranty.  I had a backup plan, my insurance offers road side assistance.  I called them and they said a tow truck would be there with in sixty minutes.  This is where the fruit of the spirit lessons really began.

First of all, my first instinct is not to be “longsuffering” I don’t have patience for most things and I really hate not having something to so.  I couldn’t go into the store since I couldn’t lock my car or remove my keys.  I had to sit and wait.  I rifled through every nook and cranny to find something, anything to read.  I found a small book my husband had in the glove compartment, which helped.

Sixty minutes passed and no tow truck.  I called again.  This was my opportunity to show kindness and goodness – that is really hard when you’re frustrated, but I did my best.  I was then told it would be another 30 minutes.  Unfortunately by this time I had drunk the bottle of water I had with me and I really needed to leave the car – but I couldn’t.  My prayers were now for a speedy arrival of the truck.  Well needless to say, 30 minutes later, I was calling again.

Gentleness, kindness goodness – all things I knew I needed to display and all things hard when you are hot, frustrated and a little frantic, but this verse would not leave my head, so I did my best.

The tow truck finally showed up and got my car to the dealership.  The dealership fixed the problem and it didn’t cost me anything, which is another positive. 

Thinking back, I may have been focusing on the fruit of the spirit.  After all, I’m been known to be unkind when people tell me something and don’t deliver. I thought that is what I was learning, but really I was learning is that God is my help.

Psalm 46:1New King James Version (NKJV)

46 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble

Sometime calling out to God is enough.   

 

 

 

Inspired Painter

or Rebel

 

 

Somewhere in time, or for the last few Saturdays, I haven’t posted a new blog. That is unusual for me, I have posted one every Saturday for over two years.  A few weeks back I had posted a blog about to test or not to test.  One reason I missed a Saturday was due to a test. My company prefers its employees pass an industry standard test.  The Saturday before last, I had to take the test.  I passed, so I can breathe easier now.

After that, the company I work for wanted to get all of the people in my department together, so I had to fly to a different state for a few days.  Corporate America is a little funny. They get people together to try and create unity.  One day, my Boss sent us on a team building assignment.  We went to a studio where an artist was giving us instructions on how to paint a picture.

Doing something creative was a fun change.  Something about me that may be a little boring is I am a rule follower.  If there is a sign that says “No talking” I don’t talk – okay, maybe I break the speed limit on occasion, but I’m even getting better about that. The reason I mention this now is what I did this night was a little out of character for me.

The colors we would be using were all set out and the blank canvas in front of us. She showed us a picture of what we would be doing and then she told us what colors to start with and where on the canvas to begin.  Up to this point, I am following her every direction.  She then said to do cross strokes with the brush. 

When my brush hit canvas, I felt a small nudge to do it different. Instead of cross strokes, I did smooth blended lines.  Up to this point, I think I’m still going to get back to what she is doing.  But as I paint, a still small voice says this is a sunset.  The instructor had us do half the canvas and then flip it to do the other half.  The same thing happens and this time, I knew it was the ocean.  By the time I have finished that half, I’m no longer listening to the artist leading the class.  I brighten up the center for the effect of the sun; I ran its reflection across the water.  I had finished a completely different picture.

I shocked myself; this is not like me at all.  I felt a little bad for ignoring the instructions of the teacher.  Looking at all my co-workers, they all had some semblance of the picture the instructor was shooting for, only I stood out, only I was a rebel.

God used this to remind me that he did not create me to conform to the world, but to be transformed. 

Romans 12:2New King James Version (NKJV)

² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I would love to tell you that the painting is wonderful. I do know it was inspired, but it still had to come through my frail and human hands.  When I checked out of the hotel, the person who took my keys stared amazingly at my painting and asked where I got it. I felt pretty good for a few minutes and then I thought they might be paid to make the customer feel special.  Anyway, it was a fun way to learn a lesson.  It doesn’t matter if I’m not as good as another person at something.  It doesn’t matter that I’m not noticed for the talent and skill I have or don’t have.  What matters is that God is transforming me into the person He wants me to me. 

Pick Me!

No, Pick Me!

 

 

Somewhere in time, not too long ago, I applied for a promotion.  It reminded me of when as kids we played on teams.  We also wanted to be picked, no one wanted to be last.  Well I was very small, so I hardly ever got picked first.  When it did happen, I was overjoyed.

You would think this type of thing stops when you get older, but it continues on.  I went to a popular game show once and waited in line all day. They picked contestants from the crowd.  I wanted to say, pick me, pick me – but I was too mature for that and well, they didn’t pick me.  Maybe I should have tried the pick me, pick me chant.

When you are single and you see an attractive person across the room, you want to say pick me.  Many girls may be vying for his attention, but you want him to pick you.  I got picked twenty five years ago, so I don’t have to worry about that one anymore.

Back to the position I applied for; I wanted to say – pick me.  But I didn’t, not professional enough.  I instead told them of all my qualifications and all of my abilities and why I would be great at the job.  And guess what, they didn’t pick me. 

When others are selected for something before you, it’s kind of disappointing.  I know that deep down, God always has a plan, but sometimes you want him to tell you the plan ahead of time.  Being turned down for the promotion was a little disheartening.  Of course they always tell you it was a hard decision etc., but the end result is someone else is doing what you planned on doing.

Being someone who is not picked, more than I am picked made me a little depressed.  Then I remembered something. 

John 15:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

I have been chosen, before anyone else every had the chance not to choose me, God chose me. 

 

 

Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I was feeling overwhelmed. 

I looked up the definition of the word and it means one of two things: To affect someone very strongly, or to have too many things to deal with. When I ponder the word, the too many things to deal with is the definition that comes to mind.

I think we’ve all been there.  We have so many things pulling us in so many directions we don’t even know where to start. 

I find myself more times than not, crying out to God with overwhelmed feelings because I don’t know what to tackle next. 

Have you have been overwhelmed by the presence of God?

It’s not something that happens every day.  Day to day, life is so busy with the mundane that we don’t have time to notice the spectacular.  But if we stop to think about it, God’s love is overwhelming. 

I was hit with the overwhelming feeling of God’s love and I was amazed that the creator of the universe even knew my name. If we really were to stop and think about it, it’s the most wonderful overwhelming feeling there is.

^{Matthew 10:29-32}

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

³¹ Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

³² Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

 

 

Heaven

The Ultimate Vacation

 

 

Somewhere in time – actually, sometime in the future, I’ll be taking the ultimate vacation.

I started thinking about vacations this week – well mainly because I need one, but I can’t take one.  My husband and I used to go to the beach a few times a year.  I love the ocean. I love the look, the smell the feel. It’s just a happy place for me. When we go, I get my book and sit in the lawn chair and read.  I know, I know, I’m at the ocean, why aren’t I in the water?  Well, I do get the water sometimes, but the water is cold and I would rather read.

One of the fun parts of a vacation is planning it. There is the anticipation of the coming event and of course the few days with no work.  All of this is fun.  When the vacation is over, it’s the memories and the pictures.

Every day of our lives, we are planning for the ultimate vacation.  The trick to this vacation is we never know when it will start, but we are assured it will never end.

Revelation 21:19-21

¹⁹ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

²⁰ The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

The really nice thing about this vacation is all you have to do is decide you want to come.  Asking Christ into your heart and surrendering your life to Him is all you need to do. Then your passage is paid and your ticket is issued.  Now you just need to wait for the timing to be right.

Happiness

Is Overrated

 

 

Somewhere in time, this last week, a well-known minister’s wife said that God wanted people to be happy.  This caused a stir as people denounced her, derided or and even defended her.  I listened to the short statement and I think we are making a mountain out of molehill. 

The thought is, do we derive happiness from serving God?  I know that serving God helps with the happiness in my life, but I don’t really think happiness is the key.  I think our quest for happiness is overrated.  If we think about how much time people spend worrying about why they aren’t happy – what must be wrong with them if they aren’t happy – when all we need is to be content.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 King James Version (KJV)

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Contentment is a little better than happy; because it comes with a peace and a trust that God has everything under control. 

Does God want me to be happy?  He gives me a lot of things I find happiness in, but I think he wants me to seek godliness and find contentment.

 

 

The Faith of

My Grandparents

 

 

Somewhere in time, the week before last, the paperback version of my first printed book became available.  I have a sweet cousin who ordered the book, but she thought it might be about our grandparents.  Well it isn’t, but I did use their names.  The book is set in the 30’s and they were young adults during that era, so that made me first think of their names. I also respect them, so I thought I might honor their memory by using their names.

My grandmother died when I was twelve, but I remember her from when I was young.  She used to make me special treats.  If she made chocolate pudding for everyone, she would make me a small amount of vanilla.  I’m allergic to chocolate and she didn’t want me to miss out on a treat.  She started to teach me how to sew. I made a simple elastic waist skirt under her tutelage.  She made me feel special.  She once told me I was like her and it felt nice to hear it.    

My grandfather was another matter altogether.  He didn’t spend time doing things with us.  He was a minister and I remember asking him when I was about seven years old if I could be baptized.  He told me to read the entire Bible and check back with him.  I believe he thought I was too young to make such a decision – I disagree, I knew what I wanted to do.

I was reading some memoirs he left and something stuck out in my mind.  He didn’t start out life planning on becoming a minister; the thought may have never crossed his mind.  My grandmother got really sick early in their marriage and almost died.  This caused him to really question God.  Church was something he did because he was supposed to, but now he wanted answers.  The pastor at the church where he attended couldn’t give him the answer he needed, so he went searching. 

Hebrews 11:6

 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.

God rewarded my grandfather’s search. 

When my grandfather found the Lord and obtained his own personal relationship with our creator, it changed him. 

He was not perfect, but he loved God and did his best to serve him.  Because of his and my grandmother’s faith, all of his children – my father, my aunts and uncles were people of faith. Their faith impacted my generation as well. 


It’s an amazing ripple effect when one life touches others. 

When I titled my book “A Legacy for Martha” – I was thinking of the legacy left by my grandparents.  No inheritance, but a legacy of faith – and that is by far a greater treasure.

 

Whose Eyes

Do You Have?

 

 

Somewhere in time, a few weeks ago, I was getting groceries.  The store had a young man out in the parking lot gathering up shopping carts. He was heading my way and my cart was almost empty, so I called out to him.  I said, “hey, wait a minute and I’ll give you this cart”.  He never stopped walking.  I thought, well, maybe he didn’t hear me.  So I said it louder, “hey, wait” -but he just blew past me like he never heard a word I said.

This kind of irritated me.  I took my empty cart and put it away all the while mumbling under my breath. 

I have been back to that store several times and whenever I see that young man, I think – there he is, the kid who thought he was too good to put away my cart.

Then God opened my eyes.  I saw the young man was wearing a hearing aid.  He really didn’t hear me call out. 

Now I felt like an idiot.

How many times to we make assumptions because we don’t have all the facts.  We see the exterior, but we have no idea of what goes on inside.

1 Samuel 16:7English Standard Version (ESV)

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

How would our lives change, if we could see the hurt in a person who’s rude?  What if we could see insecurities in some one puffed up with self-pride? What if we could see the pain behind the sarcastic statements?

If we could see as Jesus sees, our lives would be different. If we could see people with the eyes of Christ, we wouldn’t be so quick to judge.

My prayer is that the Lord will lend me his eyes to see those I need to see.  Those I can be kind to when they are upset.  Those I can show compassion to.  Lord give me your eyes.