It had been a really long day.
6 am came too soon, and as usual, I was running late to the airport. Due to the extra few minutes I spent taming my hair, I was unable to stop by Sonic for my habitual Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper.
The tragedy.
The flight from Nashville to Houston was one of the bumpiest I’ve ever been on. And I fly. A lot. Several people on our plane threw up and one even passed out on our descent.
Evidently, April is Monsoon season for the state of Texas.
Once in the terminal, I checked my next flight on the screens.
My 12 pm flight to Dallas was delayed until 1 pm.
Then 2 pm.
Then 3:15 pm.
4:15 pm.
Canceled.
Fortunately my phone alerted me a good fifteen minutes before they announced it so I was able to get in line early and snag a seat on the next flight out.
5 pm.
6 pm.
6:45 pm.
7 pm.
7:30 pm.
Finally.
I have never been happier to be en route somewhere.
Dallas wasn’t my final destination though. After spilling Diet Coke on a very conspicuous area of my lap, landing, collecting my soaking wet luggage, and getting my rental car, I drove to Coppell to meet my mom and brother for a quick bite to eat before driving to Wichita Falls. Normally a two hour drive isn’t anything to fret over.
But I was tired.
Frazzled.
Decaffeinated.
Grumpy.
And my hair, which I so purposefully wasted time on, had succumbed to the humidity and easily doubled tripled in size.
At least I was in Texas.
I fit right in.
Shortly after midnight, I pulled into my hotel and knowing I would be sleeping in the same clothes I was wearing (as my PJs were drenched from the Monsoon), I rang the buzzer to the front desk.
A middle aged woman with few teeth and a bit of a scowl checked me into my room. Honestly, she kind of creeped me out just a bit. Enough that for once, safely inside my room, I actually locked all the locks on my door.
I looked in the mirror at my road-wearied face. My Diet Coke stained jeans. I looked like I had aged ten years in what was really just a ten hour journey.
The walls are a little thin at the hotel, and outside my room I can hear the scowly lady talking to someone. Immediately my heart sunk as I realized what a jerk I had been to judge this woman. I think it would be safe to assume a middle aged woman who looks like she’s lived a lot of life probably didn’t plan on making $6 an hour working the midnight shift at a small town, Texas inn. And in my hurried, cranky, spoiled interaction with her, I didn’t view her through the eyes of love.
Leaning into the mirror more to look into my eyes I prayed, “God. Help me see people the way you see them. Help me see people through the eyes of love.”
It’s so easy for me to judge. To compare, contrast, and separate the worth of humanity within my own mind, and by my own eyes. As if somehow I have the right to do that.? Yet I do it.
All the time.
I wonder what people look like through the eyes of love. I can’t say I’ve ever really set every agenda aside and simply narrowed my focus to see them the way Jesus would have seen them.
Beautiful.
Worthwhile.
Broken.
Child like.
Lovely.
And so it’s my hope this week that I can open my heart a little bit.
Open my mind.
And this week, may we all be challenged to look through the eyes of love.
Comments
36 responses to “Looking Through the Eyes of Love”
Beautifully written.
It’s kinda like you are in my brain today! I was just talking about this with my hubby last night but I was talking about someone in my life that I know VERY well. I said to him that I wish I could just love her the way Jesus loves her.
Sounds like you had a rough day – hoping today is much better for you!
Janel?s last blog post..Read all about it…
You are SO not alone…
Tim Bailey?s last blog post..Identify
This really hits home for me. It’s so easy to get caught up in our minor trials, and those are the times we’re called to step beyond ourselves.
I’m impressed you felt such compassion at the end of such a frustrating day. It gives me hope.
Thanks so much for opening our hearts a little bit.
Pam?s last blog post..will the real me please stand up?
This is just beautiful. Thanks.
vegasldk?s last blog post..vegasldk: I say "God, I’m leaving". He says "Ok, but before you do, listen to this".
but, but, but….Anne. we, as superior christians, have a specific agenda to tell the world how bad they are, how they don’t give enough to missionaries and our other pet projects, how they drive too nice of a car, and their kids go to priovate schoools, and their buildings are way too big….but hey, we are a god’s children (who knows which one we are serviing today) so we are superior to the lost in every way – we have the free ticket to heaven you know.
i hear you on this one –
you didn’t do this so it’s not aimed at you but i’m so, so tired of the wanna be christian world who continually puts down other people – even their own brothers for the reasons above or if they don’t have white enough teeth or highlight their hair just so. if a politician, preacher, teacher. actor, musician, or anyone else doesn’t agree with them they waste their time writing a stupid blog about it and they think they will change the world ’cause 45 people actually read it. got news for you, they don’t care one iota what your opinion is.
maybe just maybe, we ought to listen to what God tells us to do, and then by golly (texas slang) just go out and do what HE tells US to do – not what everyone else wants us to do.
now, back to my 18th cup of joe since 3:30am {i’ve been up praying since then and everyone should know about it ’cause i’m special :) – and you should feel bad because you weren’t}
@tony – but i did do that. i do that all the time. and it sucks.
i just don’t put it on blogs because i have a reputation to uphold.
thing is, even if i don’t blog it, it’s still a part of me.
not to self depreciate, but it really does suck.
and i hope to work on it really hard beginning yesterday.
God bless you Anne with the desires of your heart.
By the comments above you spoke to many people, and to me too today. I was struggling just this morning with that very same thought. It’s so easy to fall into ‘selfish’ mode. Lord let us see people through Jesus’ eyes!!!
Thanks Anne – and I sure hope it wasn’t you that threw up or passed out as your plane made it’s landing! *wink*
CindyK?s last blog post..Green Data Center
Anne – confession is good for the soul. I do it too, maybe that’s why i complained about it!
Kolkata awaits you, Anne, and i have every confidence that your heart will take new ground – ground that will not be given up – within hours of your arrival.
I always find that the more tired I am, the less I see people as God sees them. It’s amazing to me how connected our spirit is with our physical body.
Brad?s last blog post..Small dogs
Thanks for that awesome dose of perspective. My perspective sucks today and you just served my students in a major way as you slapped me around with that a little. Thanks!
CLowe?s last blog post..Is He For Real?
GREAT post!!!!! Thank you
Danae?s last blog post..update on Gobena Coffee projects
Your words resonate loud & clear. I think we all too often feel that we must judge others through our eyes, which are fogged with all our prejudices and faults that we fail to see. Looking through the eyes of love can put a perspective on situations that the Lord can work through to show us His vision of compassion, and bring a new feeling of care and kindheartedness into our lives. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us, so that we all may reflect and learn.
Wow! Horrible travel story, awesome conclusion!
Rick Apperson?s last blog post..Respect Your Elders!
I think that it’s weird that these moments of honesty are so rare (not just on your part… everyone’s… and me too), I just don’t get why it’s so hard to admit that we blow it on loving people. I remember one Sunday morning my kids were going crazy (they’re 2 and 4) and my wife was frazzled… and was trying to get ready for Church. I couldn’t find my sermon anywhere. My daughter had removed from the table and attempted to draw or write or both. I lost it… really lost it. I got ready, went to church, preached a sermon, shook hands and smiled at people while feeling rotten on the inside. After Church, my daughter came up from Sunday School.. ran to me yelling “Daddy!!!”. She was happy to see me! She clung to my leg hugging me while I shook hands… now I’m trying to hold back tears. Despite my tantrum earlier that morning… there she was, showing me grace and forgiveness. So I guess I say all that to say that we blow it and it’s messy. But grace is so sweet and that’s where we live. Grace encourages me to be better, to do better and to extend it to others… it’s pretty sweet. So, blessings Anne, when you see others through the eyes of love, and when you know you need to.
Anne, thanks so much for the authenticity and openness. You’ve revealed that you’re sensitive in that area, and it’s such an eye-opener for me, who, after experiencing that situation, probably wouldn’t even reflect on how I acted toward the lady.
I love reading your blog. . . you’ve taught me so much over the last, um, however-long I’ve been reading.
Thanks for sharing your heart!
?God. Help me see people the way you see them. Help me see people through the eyes of love.?
This is a very dangerous prayer – guaranteed to change your life.
Beth Hoover?s last blog post..Downsizing
I love hearing you share your heart! Following your trip via twitter this weekend was entertaining…even if it was not so entertaining for you :)
I wish we could all see people more through the eyes of Love. I know I would be much kinder, more open, and more compassionate than I am at times. Thank you for the kick to the gut, I always appreciate those!
Kara-Kae James?s last blog post..lobster & marley
AH! I should have read this yesterday! Can’t tell you how many times I did this yesterday – and many other days, too, I’m sure… but yesterday was a whopper.
jill?s last blog post..what i thought i wanted…
I had a flying day like that once. And I don’t think my heart/attitude/mind shifted quite as beautifully as yours…
mandythompson?s last blog post..32: Day is Done
Sometimes, grace happens. Thank you for illustrating this.
Peter?s last blog post..Ancient Graffiti Speaks to Humility
Love your heart, Anne. I find myself turning into my entitled, American self especially when I’m tired and hungry. I love the words you used to describe how we should see others. I need to use this viewpoint even when I view other Christians who are misguided or haphazard in their love. Sadly, those are whom I find the hardest to love these days.
Anne,
I read this earlier… and soaked it in. It reminded me of 2 guys I met on Saturday and my encounter with them. We were having our big annual “Kindness Explosion” event. You know.. blanketing the town and surrounding communities with God’s love.
The driver was pumping gas. He wouldn’t let any one pumped it for him. I poked my head into the truck to talk with passenger. He started telling me that they were already drunk but that the driver would never admit to being so. He knew that they had stopped in at that particular gas station so that we would meet. I had asked how I could pray for him/them. He thanked me for asking and for smiling at him/them.
God didn’t see 2 drunk guys that I should have stayed away from. God saw 2 guys that needed to know that they were loved even if it came in a funny looking package of a woman named Camey at a gas station.
As always, you’ve been prayed for dear one!
Much love!
Cameyg?s last blog post..Safety vs Dangerous!
Ohhh… forgot to mention.. I smelled and was dirty from head to toe too!
Cameyg?s last blog post..Safety vs Dangerous!
Brandon Heath’s song, Give Me Your Eyes, has become my theme song lately. Just last Monday I had similar thoughts to yours while my husband was filling the gas tank. I watched several people go into and come out of the convenience store. I began to first see them through my eyes, the fashion challenged cowboy, the young man wearing his jeans below his tush and his boxers hanging out, the tired woman who obviously forgot some of her undergarments before she left home. They were interesting to say the least. Then I asked God, “but that’s not what you see, is it? You see one of your beloved children, or at the very least a beautiful soul that you want to adopt to be your child.” I was guilty of comparing them to myself (oh, the sin of pride) and then suddenly I was begging God to let me see them as He does. Maybe one day I will even be able to look at myself and see what God sees. That’s gonna take a while…
It ‘s kind of funny because I now seem to view people and “judge” them on whether or not I think they are getting enough food or not – but really, I need to open my eyes a little wider to see if they are getting enough love or not. Dang it.
kristiapplesauce?s last blog post..South Africa in Panera
I ask for something like this every week- right before we open the doors to a couple hundred Orange County kids in my youth group. This crew has mastered their outward appearance…
You can’t be a youth pastor with old eyes. You’ll just end up hating the kids.
ryan guard?s last blog post..Miss California on Gay Marriage
Thanks for sharing Anne. I so related. So, so related. Thanks for the challenge.
Jan Owen?s last blog post..Tackling the ME Monster: Worship Confessional
Great stuff. I totally understand the feeling and am encouraged that someone else is walking the same journey. It was just last week that I was convicted of the same thing. :) May we see the world through His eyes and see people as all they CAN be and not what they aren’t.
Joshua?s last blog post..Judging A Book By Its Cover
Great post. I think being kind to service people is one of the bigger everyday ministries people can take part in. I worked as a retail clerk for a few years. Most people don’t give you the time of day. But I sure remembered it when someone went out of their hurried little way to be friendly to me. Even now, it’s tough for me to remember to do that for someone who is waiting on me!
I have a student this semester who I have been viewing much the same way. And what’s really tragic is how over time this continued mindset truly affects our interactions. I have come to view this student as the reason that I hate teaching. Its all their fault. I’m doing the best I can and they are hindering me…AND I BELIEVE IT ALL! I can’t even describe the tension that just thinking about this student causes me…basically I’m a hostage to my own false emotions and perceptions…Lord have mercy!
Kenyon?s last blog post..Culture: Create v. Dictate
Ann, I’m reading a great book about this. “Crazy Love,” by Francis Chan. It’s rocking my world.
I was just listening to the Brandon Heath song “Give Me Your Eyes” yesterday, thinking about how quickly I sometimes judge people, without really stopping to consider all the things I can’t see with my own eyes. It’s certainly a struggle, and being conscious of it doesn’t always help.
Thanks for sharing a great post. I’ve really enjoyed your blog and am glad you’re back after your Lenten fast.
Kelly O?s last blog post..So Much to Say
Anne, thanks for the reminder. I work in Celebrate Recovery at my church and this is something I have to keep in mind all the time.
Alison?s last blog post..Did you know I have Famous Parents?
i’m really, really upset with you cause you haven’t posted miss CA’s gay marriege response on here so you could rack up 692907578239630 comments :)