Sight

This blog came about because I was talking with someone about "floaters" that can occur in eyes. I have them. Then, a photo showed up on my Instagram feed that showed what lights look like for those who have astigmatism. I have that as well. Another issue that can affect people is colorblindness (I do not have this).

When I saw the photo on Instagram I realized that how I see things is different than how most people see it. Lights at night do not look the same. I realized maybe that is why I don't like to drive at night. Maybe? Although I don't really see my floaters anymore, because I guess I've had them long enough that I ignore them, I know they have to make things look differently for me. Colorblind - I will say, I am thankful I do not have this because I love seeing colors. And yet, I know that how I see colors is different than my children. I think something is more blue, they say more purple. I see something more yellow, they see it more orange... you get the idea.

Let me also say, I have often wished I could step outside of myself and see how someone else sees me. I would really like to be able to see myself from someone else's point of view. This isn't just a physical "how I look" idea, this is a "how I respond to situations" idea. How do my emotions take over in scenarios? How do I truly look when I get to "mama bear?" Would I really like myself if I stepped back and saw myself outside of me? At times I think it would be fun to see the world through someone else's eyes for just a day... how do they see the colors? how do they see the water as it flows? how do people's faces look to them?

As I started reflecting on the fact that we all see things differently, I realized that it happens spiritually as well. There are so many different interpretations of the Bible now. And everyone says they are "right." It's no wonder those outside the church are confused.

How we view things has so much to do with how we were raised, situations that happened to us over our lifetime, and as I am realizing more and more - it is often because we are selfish and desire something. That is true for me... Selfishness has crept in and as much as we have to "love ourselves" and "take care of ourselves" there is an element of spreading love that has been forgotten.

The world is becoming more and more blind to what it means to take care of your neighbor. Friends, I am speaking to myself here. I have not done a good job of this. I so often come home from work tired and frustrated that I hide out. Being a single mom I have fears of what it would look like if I let someone in because "what if they hurt me."

Our sight has become pretty blind. There are going to be different ways to see things, and I am thankful that I am not God and don't have to decide which interpretation is correct, but within those differing thoughts and views there has to be a way to see things that bring love and care to those around us. There has to be a way to know that we can bring joy or pain to someone depending on how we treat them and view them. Just because they don't see something the same way I do doesn't give me the okay to treat them poorly and reject them.

Our physical sight is so much like our spiritual, and we forget that. We often forget to ask God what He wants us to see. A prayer of mine is often, "God help me see things through Your eyes." This was David's prayer in Psalm 19.

Psalm 19:14

May the words of my mouth

and the thoughts of my heart

be acceptable in your presence,

Adonai, my Rock and Redeemer.

(CJB)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

(ESV)

If you notice, the CJB uses the word "presence" instead of "sight." I have not done any research on why that would be, but my initial gut says it is because God's presence is everywhere and He can see everything. Often times we forget the presence aspect. Because He isn't standing next to us, we think we can do something... And yet, His presence is everywhere.

Friends, today as you look at the world and people around you, ask Him to see it through His eyes. Ask Him to bring to your sight things that you have not noticed before. Ask Him how to show His love to those you meet. Don't let your sight become blind to the things He wants you to do.

Love and blessings,

Rose