Psalm 20:12 (Eyes that see…)

I just watched a video on Facebook that someone had posted. It showed a young man getting into his car and going to work. Along the way, he found himself annoyed by several people who “got in his way”—a young boy skateboarding, traffic at a busy corner, a woman pulling into his parking space, and waiting in line at a coffee shop.

We watchers are privy to his thoughts, all self-centered, as each of these individuals crossed his path. Then, a tall dark austere gentleman stood before him, reached into his inside jacket pocket, took out an eyeglass case, handed them to the young man, and disappeared. The young man opened the case and quizzically put on the glasses.

An amazing thing happened. The glasses gave him a glimpse of what God saw. Each person around him had a short description of what was happening in their lives printed across their chest. One was “fighting with her husband,” another was “grieving for her best friend,” and others, each with a different problem.

His immediate response was to assure himself that he could not do anything about any of their problems and quickly escaped to his car to return home. As he got out of his car, the young boy on the skateboard rode by with the line “just needs someone to care” across his chest.

Our hero, the young man called the boy over, stooped down, and chatted with him. End of story.

How differently we would treat those around us if we, too, could catch a glimpse of what God sees--what each person’s heart is saying. It was obvious from the video clip that looking at someone’s face has little to do with what is inside them. Like us, they wore smiles, frowns, unconcern, or disinterest as a mask. Finishing the video left me with two thoughts: 1) be more aware of those around and 2) while we can’t help everyone, we can help one.

This reminds me of an Amy Grant song.
♫ “She's got her Father's eyes, her Father's eyes
Eyes that find the good in things, When good is not around.
Eyes that find the source of help, When help just can't be found.
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain.
Knowin' what you're going through, and feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes.” ♫