I See You
This first photo memory is of my son watching his 9-year-old boy, Ryan has rarely missed a game in the eight years since then. He continues to watch his 17-year-old son and taking videos and photos when he is pitching or batting. Ryan has no shame in jumping up in front of the spectators to take those photos and videos. Not only is he a proud dad, but he takes those photos for Brennan who asks his dad to do so. He wants to improve his game – his swing, his pitch, his stance.
Tuesday night, our family from Canada and family from Seattle were there to watch the game with us. All eyes were on the game, but specifically on Brennan. I’d like to say that we won the game, but we didn’t. But that didn’t take away our pride and joy in Brennan who continues to love his family’s applause and love for him. He wants us to see him – to watch him.
That reminds me when my grands were younger and wanted to be noticed and seen. I lived on lakefront property. My youngest grandson, hollered: “Nana, come, watch me catch a fish!” And, his older brother, Brennan, called out: “Nana, are you coming to my game?” My Granddaughter called out: “Watch me ride my skateboard!” And her brother shouted: “Nana, watch me play my new piano!”
They wanted my undivided attention. With delight and joy in my heart, I watched each one. And the reality is, I’m not just watching — I’m taking a photo or video of them. I see them. I see it all. I see their successes and I see them when they fall and make mistakes, large or small. It doesn’t matter. I am seeing them and loving them.
And isn’t this what we want of God? For Him to see us. For Him to watch us — to notice us. I’m sure if He had a camera or cellphone, He would be taking photos of us. Even more than the love of our earthly fathers, is our Heavenly Father. What we forget is our Creator is already watching us. And whether we succeed or fail – He’s enjoying us the whole time. In fact, if He had social media accounts, He’d be posting our pictures all over them.
Don’t try to convince me otherwise. I’ve seen way too much evidence that God sees me right where I am today, and I know His love for me is vast. I’ve experienced way too many of God’s blessings, and I know they didn’t come to me by happenstance or coincidence. I’ve been loved so much that it’s the story of my life.
And I want it to be the story of your life as well. I want it to change everything — including how you look at God, yourself, and other people. I want you to live in confidence that when God looks at you, He sees beauty. He sees value. He sees hope. He sees a precious treasure beyond compare.
When we’re hiding, or when we feel beaten down, and we can’t see anything clearly, God is still hard at work, crafting for us a beautiful future. He sees us. He loves us. In fact, He is probably saying this to us right now!
“Get up, sweet child. You can do this!”“I’m watching you.”“I’m so proud of you.”“I see you.”
And here’s the truth — the Gospel Truth — God loves us in our successes, and He still loves us in spite of our failures. So, let’s step up to the plate today and make Him proud. He’s watching and applauding us and constantly cheering us on to HOME plate!
“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,” Psalm 33:8