What do you see?
Photo by Edi Libedinsky on Unsplash
Good morning, friend!
If you have read my 30 day devotional, you know well the scripture that I am about to write…
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8
I cannot think of a better way to start our day than these words from God’s Holy Bible!
For many years, I have written these words in my prayer journal in the wee early morning hours.
His Words are LIFE to my weary heart.
There are many days when I am tired and my body does not “feel” like reading God’s Word.
These are the days when we need to do it anyway.
Our “feelings” can get us into big trouble.
Feelings are fleeting.
Feelings are misleading.
So, on those days we don’t feel like worshiping, praying, or reading God’s Word…
Let’s do it anyway!!
What in the world else is more important?
Yesterday, I came across this verse…I read it over and over.
I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:2-3
After reading it, I realized…
His Word IS hidden treasure!
There is LIFE for us, and ABUNDANT life for us in His Word!
His Word opens our eyes to see what our natural eyes cannot see.
When we read His Word, our eyes are opened to HIS Kingdom…and not the kingdom of this world.
For the last few weeks, I have been asking God to please open my eyes. Let me see what He sees.
I have asked Him to help me to notice others…like, really notice others.
Guess what?
Of course, this is a prayer He always answers.
He has put several people in my path that I may not have otherwise noticed.
One person He put in my path was Phyllis.
It happened a couple of nights ago.
My daughter and I were sitting in my car waiting on my mom and sister to meet us at a restaurant in Athens to celebrate my niece’s birthday.
We had arrived early, and the restaurant won’t seat us until we are all there. So, we sat in the car.
A few minutes after we arrived, someone tapped on my car window.
My first instinct was to lock the doors…so I did.
Then, I looked and saw a sweet face asking me for help.
I rolled down my window half way, and said hello.
She said she needed money for food, and that she was in a desperate situation.
Many times, I have looked away and said under my breath, “I am so sorry, I do not carry cash.”
Which is absolutely true.
However, today, I had some cash on me. Miracles of all miracles.
Instead of rolling my window back up and sending her away, I looked straight into her eyes and asked her name.
She was surprised, I think. She looked down and stared at the ground.
“Phyllis…”
I then asked Phyllis if we could pray over her.
She immediately shook her head…yes.
I stuck my arm out the window and grabbed her hand to pray.
Honestly, the words just came out. It was not me praying over her, it was Jesus.
After praying over her, I handed her a few bills and told her we would continue to pray for her.
Why am I telling you this story?
Because I wonder…how many times have I seen Phyllis and looked away?
How many times have I secretly judged her and thought, ”go get a job instead of asking for money.”
Many times I can assure you.
But in that moment, God opened my eyes and showed me hidden treasure.
She is mine, Jill.
She belongs to Me.
She is precious to Me.
His words pierced my heart deep.
How arrogant and assuming I have been.
I don’t know Phyllis.
I don’t know her story.
But, Jesus does.
He created Phyllis.
He weaved her together in her mother’s womb.
He knows her story well.
How many opportunities have I missed because of my assuming heart?
Lord, forgive me.
Lord, forgive us.
Open our eyes to see what YOU see.
Put us in places to love others, touch others, pray for others.
Give us Your eyes.
Amen.
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2
Jesus loves Phyllis,
jill
