Some friends and I sat at a table in a local restaurant. "Hi Amy!" I said looking in the direction of my friend's three-year old little girl. "Did you like your visit to Disney World?"
She didn't answer.
"Honey," her mommy said, "Mrs. Eckles can't see. You have to say yes out loud, not just nod your head."
We chuckled.
"Close your eyes," her mom said. "That's what Mrs. Eckles sees."
We continued our visit, her mom and I chatted about silly stuff during the meal. Then suddenly Amy's mom paused. "I'm sorry Amy; you can open your eyes now. And go ahead and eat your food."
We hadn't realized during the whole time we were talking, she still had them closed, and the plate of food, untouched, sat before her.
Setbacks and Disappointments
That reminded me when the sting of setbacks, the jolt of disappointment closed the eyes of my heart. And in the darkness of my pain, I missed God's banquet set before me.
We all do that sometimes. The rehashing of negative details blocks the view. And dark memories of the wound cover the path to healing.
Blind to all that goodness, we test God's patience. How often must He whisper, Open those eyes and check out the banquet of blessings I placed before you. Look at the possibilities. Take a peek at what I have prepared for you.
It's all for us.
He offers and invites us to see what he designed. He longs to show us His hand at work right now. At this moment. In our current situation. And in the midst of today's heartache.
In each of them, He's preparing something new, something good and beautifully unexpected. He warns not to look back; but focus ahead. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV).
Our days shine with hope, with fresh beauty, and with delight when we choose to perceive what God is offering.
Let's Pray: Father, open my eyes to see beyond my circumstance, beyond the hurt. And instead, help me to look at the colorful horizon painted by your love for me. In Jesus' name, amen.
What might God want you to see in the midst of your situation?
Janet Eckles
If this message resonated with you, please visit Janet's cyberspace home for more inspiration.
