Today during recreation time I was sitting and talking with a group of teenage orphan girls. One of them gazed into my eyes and, in all earnestness, said, “Wow, you have eyes like Jesus!” The other girls all enthusiastically nodded their heads in agreement. I was confused. Eyes like Jesus? What does that mean? I asked for clarification, but didn’t get a satisfactory answer. Surely they didn’t mean my eyes look like Jesus’ eyes. Who knows what His eyes look like?
This girl’s statement stuck with me through the rest of the day. I’m not sure I’ll ever understand what she meant by this, but I felt honored and flattered. What a compliment to receive! Beauty is fleeting, but “eyes like Jesus”…wow! As I reflected on the meaning of this statement later, I came up with 2 possibilities:
1.) Maybe they saw (but didn’t realize) the reflection of Jesus in my eyes. After all, I was looking at THEM, and these girls always show me Jesus’ love and goodness through their kindness, smiles, laughs and camaraderie.
2.) Jesus’ eyes looked on all of creation with LOVE. He saw the good in others. He saw their faith, their potential. Could it be that I am starting to see the good in others and the beauty in all of creation that surrounds me, too? It’s easy enough to find faults in others and in the broken, sinful world we live in. I think I have done this pretty naturally most of my life. But it is a challenge to choose instead to see the bright side of life. Has my time here given me a different outlook, a new perspective, eyes that look on the world with hope, love and joy instead of doubt and criticism?
I guess the first explanation is more probable, but the second explanation is something that may be GRAUDALLY occurring in me and something I would like to STRIVE toward.
keels you sure are one heck of a woman! and you are right, what a compliment!
ReplyDeletesome times the simplest of comments can be the ones that stick with you for ever...so beautiful to see that you guys are EACH OTHER'S angels and that you are coming into your own! every time i read your blogs i feel more proud to call you one of my closest friends!
seriously, i would have loved to go to east timor for you but i think its a good thing i didnt. we are both growing up, becoming more independent and figuring out our own philosophies (of course you moreso than i). BUT i mean it when i say i want to go there with you one day...maybe far far in the future, but one day!
hey keelan! miss you lots, and can't wait for another post :) i'm sure you've got a lot going on, especially since you're leaving soon! i'm excited to read all about it.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nice post thanks for sharing. Would you please consider adding a link to my website on your page. Please email me back. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAaron Grey
aarongrey112@gmail.com