Let Me Have A Look/See
What She Said - Part 6
Sherry Bitler, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
Ephesians 1:18
Now retired, I have taken up a hobby – painting. A dear friend of mine alerted me to check out a Christian artist’s website where he posts pictures of his beautiful gardens. I love his paintings and often copy them to give as gifts to my friends. He also shares online pages from his journal, and I have been very blessed by reading it. Here is a sample:
To “look,” I engage my eyes. To “see,” I ask my eyes to join hands with my heart, mind, and soul. I have the gift of vision which gives me the ability to “look.” But unfortunately, I do not always “see.” Certainly, pleasure can be obtained from looking. But seeing turns that pleasure into an experience, often making clear the presence of the Divine. “Looking” sees a rock as grey. “Seeing” observes in that rock the unexpected painter’s palette of lavenders, blues, golds and greens. “Looking” sees a bare tree on a winter’s day, standing lonely. Quietly waiting for its beauty to return with the first sign of spring. “Seeing” realizes that beauty remains in each tree’s unique, intricately designed architecture, silhouetted starkly against a mottled grey sky. “Seeing” might take a moment. To be present. To be aware. And that’s where the problem often lies with me. Life is busy. In that busyness, I forget. So I “look.” But I do not “see.” When I “see” I am more likely to live in a state of awe and gratitude. I’m aware of the magnificent world just outside my door. Full of wonder. A miracle at every turn. I recall the many reasons I married. I “see” the human inside the ragged clothing, at the corner, holding a cardboard sign. I am less likely to focus so greatly on myself. Which opens my eyes. Makes me aware. Then I can turn my eyes to a whole new world that awaits me in this very spot I have been for many years. If I just breathe. Then “look.” Then “see”! (By David Arms)
The Lord used these words to challenge me when I was attending a women’s conference with 800 other women. After we joined together in worshipping God through music and Scripture study, the keynote speaker talked about our need to be ‘visibly’ relational. The painter’s observations about “looking” and “seeing” danced in my mind. When I take the time to really “see,” God’s love becomes clearer and clearer. We can “see” His love; we can “see’ diversity; we can “see” our need for oneness as image bearers of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We long to be with God in Heaven, but we also need to “see” our need to live as life-giving encouragers while on earth fulfilling the work God has purposed for us to do.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
I stood in awe. I realized that my attendance at that conference was a tangible illustration of how God uses “seeing” to care for His children. Normally, I tend to avoid large groups of people and unfamiliar surroundings where things often move faster than I can manage with my MS limitations. Although I knew this conference would bless and stretch me, I hesitated to attend. As I prayed about what to do, I felt the Lord encouraging me to register and to ask two specific women to accompany me. When they agreed, I explained to them that “seeing” me means walking by my side so that they would notice when there was a railing I could hold or anticipate when I might need to steady myself on their arm. In the lunch line, they would need to carry my food tray so that I could support my balance. I am convinced they prayed before we left because they could “see” things I needed even before I saw them. They were an incredible support and as much blessing as the conference itself. What a treasure they were to me and a picture of God using our sisters and brothers in Christ as His hands and feet. They were such an example of our oneness in Him. They were life-giving encouragers!!
PRAYER
Father, I am so grateful for these women sharing Your love for me by being intentional to “see” my needs. I am so grateful for the women who serve You in ministry making possible opportunities like this conference which ministered to me.
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Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, co-author of Treasures of Faith. and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace, Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non-profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.