Looking Through My Father’s Eyes

Day 278 of Photo Inspirations — Looking Through My Father’s Eyes
I took this photo from my airplane seat as I flew back from Seattle a couple of weeks ago.  Those puffy white clouds that looked like cotton, hid what was down below. There could have been fires raging, back-to-back traffic jams, floods taking over lands and lives, and chaos of wars and conflict…..but I didn’t see it.  I was oblivious to what was going on down below.  All I saw were those puffy, billowy, white clouds.  I was in a state of peace and contentment — flying high above it all. That sounds quite heavenly, doesn’t it.  And, oftentimes, that’s the way we live.  And, when it comes to living in God’s peace that passes understanding…..it’s a great way TO live. Eagle stories about flying above storms is a great analogy for us.

But, as sweet as the “Good Ship Lollipop” is (er…rather, “Good Airplane Lollipop”), God brought us to this place on this earth, at this time, to be right smack dab in the middle of LIFE…..and all that it holds.  People are hurting.  They are in need.  Their world is falling apart.  They need someone who SEES them and wants to do something to help them.  You’ve heard the saying “They’re so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good!”   It’s time for us to LOOK and SEE — SEE and BE the answer to someone’s prayers, someone’s needs, someone’s heart-cries.

Amy Grant’s notoriety really took off years ago with her song, “My Father’s Eyes” and I share those lyrics with you to make my point:

“I may not be every mother’s dream for her little girl.
And my face may not grace the mind of everyone in the world.
But that’s all right as long as I can have one wish I pray.
When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say….

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.  My Father’s eyes.. My Father’s eyes
Just like my Father’s eyes

And on that day when we will pay for all the deeds we have done,
Good and bad they’ll all be had to see by everyone.
And when you’re called to stand and tell just what you saw in me,
More than anything I know, I want your words to be……
She’s got her Father’s eyes.

And, not just our Father’s eyes to see those around us, but His hands that held hands with those who were hurting, that touched the untouchable and reached out to the unloveable.  His feet — that traveled to the captives and the outcast and freed them.  His heart that had compassion for those who followed Him — even when He just needed to get away from them all so He could rest…..but He didn’t.  His compassion failed not.  Matthew 9:36 “But when He SAW the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them……”

When people look inside our lives…..don’t we want to hear them say “They’ve got their Father’s eyes, His hands, His feet…..AND His heart?”