Eyes

Eyes are a funny things, they are constantly talked about and in so many ways;
“what beautiful eyes”
“I have my eye on you”
“I have been watching (implying using your eyes) …”
And how many different mascara’s could there be to make your eyes more attractive?

Yes, eyes are fascinating in my opinion. On the Internet it says that your eyes will grow very little from the time you are born until adulthood (that is why most babies hear the comment “what big beautiful eyes”). As I watch our daughter and look at her eyes I wonder if God made our eyes big at birth on purpose. She is constantly looking around and trying to take things in; maybe that is why they are so big. She is also full of wonder when she sees something new, she looks with an inquisitive look and then typically gives a big smile (which include her eyes). She sees everything for the first time with no judgment but rather with love and excitement.

How does God want us to use our eyes? I am challenged by this today. I am challenged as I come home from teaching and have not seen every kid through God’s eyes but instead have allowed myself to view my students through my own eyes. I am challenged by “seeing others as God sees them” in this moment with some difficult students. So, how do we see people the way that “God sees them”? I am not sure how to answer this. I know that I want to see my students as the gifts that they are. I want to see them as God sees them but I stumble and need to refocus as they say. That being said I don’t know where to go from here. I am not sure how to “put on a different pair of glasses” and see my students in the light that God sees them. I think however it starts with recognizing that God has created everyone (even Jr. High students) with plan and purpose. It begins with knowing that our Creator loves His creation and has called me (us) to love His creation as well. I know that as Caitlyn (my daughter) grows there will be difficult days when I might not see her as God sees her but I want to start trying. I want to start trying to see people as Caitlyn does and smile, I want to see people as God sees people… to have grace and love for them. And mostly, I want others to see God in me. When I finish the school year I want students to know they were genuinely cared for and wonder why… and possibly ask the question so that it opens the door to tell them about my faith.

So in conclusion for today – eyes are amazing, how are you seeing others and how are others seeing you? If one day doesn’t go as well as it could thankfully there is always tomorrow.

First fall

Caitlyn had a great time celebrating fall this weekend. There are more pictures on her blog. (Link on right)

A happy recovery...

So the last two weeks were full of strategy meetings, leader retreats, and corporate training. I was gone ALOT and it was taxing, even though it was good. This week I've been so tired I can barely smile. But here is one thing that truly did light up my heart... She has a smile like her mom's.

A Triathalon Across The Country? Yep!

Two young guys have taken up the challenge to ride, swim and bike their way across America this fall. And they are doing it all for COTN's I Love Baseball program. They started in Seattle Sunday evening and will end up in Barahona, Dominican Republic in about two and a half months.

KOMO 4 news did a peice on them which you can see by copying this link into your browser:
http://www.komonews.com/home/video/56393332.html?video=pop&t=a

You can also keep up with them on their website:
http://dhtour.vibeglobe.com

Go Brian and Phil!

BOLD

It is sometimes difficult to be “bold” and sometimes our society tells us that being “bold” is a bad thing; however I believe when it comes to faith that is just what we need to do. We have been very blessed by in many ways since getting married almost three years ago. We were blessed to be able to afford to purchase a condo, we have been blessed by strong role-models in marriage, blessed by family, blessed by our supporters (Brandon’s ministry/job would not be possible without you all), blessed with a beautiful healthy baby girl and most recently blessed with a wonderful childcare provider. It is amazing through that even with these HUGE blessings (and there have been many little ones as well) it is easy to know the blessing and not give the glory to God but rather to go the way of the world and say “we are lucky”.

As I am returning to work this week I decided to eliminate the word “luck” from my vocabulary when talking about our childcare and say exactly what transpired and that is that God provided an amazing blessing to us. I say this as another challenge to those in my life to rise up and share the good work that God is doing in your life with everyone. It was amazing even today on my first day to walk in and with my co-workers (both believers and non believers) to say “yes God did provide great childcare at the perfect time for the perfect price” instead of “we got very lucky”. While I am not convinced that this will make people instantly turn to God I do think it will open the door to bigger conversations about faith and stepping out into faith.

All of this to say, what would happen if Christians eliminated the word “luck” from their vocabulary and really gave all the glory to God and recognized every blessing (both big and small) as gifts from God. I am convinced that while a small step it is sometimes the smallest steps that open the doors for bigger steps and those big steps are what will impact the Kingdom.

Just a thought – be bold in faith who knows what God will do with your words and actions.

Love,
Shannon