Sunday 28 August 2016

A New Way Forward


I want what she has.

That sparkle in her eyes! The look of wonder and utter amazement as she gazes at the beauty around her. The way she expresses her joy! Simply, but wholeheartedly!

There's something absolutely magical about being in the presence of a two-year old as she looks for the first time on God's creation. 

"Wow!"she exclaims, and her whole body lights up - her eyes wide with wonder!

Fresh eyes! Yes, that's what it is! Fresh eyes! The ability to look around and really see everything like you are seeing it for the very first time. Soaking up every minute detail and savoring it. 


I watch as delight floods her little body, and I am thankful. Thankful for her parents who have taught her to see the Creator behind all the beauty she sees. 

"Ocean!" she says excitedly. "I like it!"

"Who made the ocean, Sanaa?"  

"Jesus!" she shrieks, and her enthusiasm melts my heart. 

I am thankful for this reminder to look around and fully see the everyday miracles around me. Sure, I spend time daily standing amazed at the beautiful scenery all around me. I live in the Caribbean, so I simply have to look out my window or drive down the road to be overcome by God's awesome creation. But... in other areas, my eyes have become a bit dull... for lack of a better word.

Let's just say there are times when I don't see the beauty in all of God's creation. Man, for example. 

Something happens as we age... as we spend more time in this sin-darkened world... we tend to become accustomed to the ugly... the disappointments... the not-so-pretty stains on this otherwise beautiful world... that sometimes we forget to see the beauty altogether. We look right past it and dwell on the ugly. We have forgotten how to use our fresh eyes. 

But just imagine if we did. If we purposely chose to use fresh eyes to gaze on God's beauty all around us. Perhaps we'll see each new day as a gift (as it really is), never before lived, filled with new and exciting possibilities; each new encounter as a chance to see something fresh and admirable in the person that just yesterday tried our last nerve. Most importantly, we'll open our eyes and look for God everywhere and when we find Him, we will really see. 


See, I am doing a new thing! Now, it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 

As I think of this angelic child who reminded me to really see, I think of what a gift she is. Each day with her, we are learning something new about her. She is growing and thriving, and her bubbly personality is bursting through. It's as if day-by-day, moment-by-moment, a new layer is being unwrapped... like opening a present we have been given. It reminds me that the magic hasn't faded with my older kids. Each day with them, we are learning more about who they are and getting glimpses of who God created them to be. It's beautiful if we really look. We just have to look with fresh eyes!

Yes! Fresh eyes! It can be life-changing! It can change the way I look at the man I've spent half my life with... the way I look at my children, my family, my friends. With fresh eyes, I can leave behind my preconceived expectations... those intangible bars that keep my loved ones trapped in a box I've built around them, and I can look for something new. 

I can wipe my lens clean and look intently - purposely and prayerfully - for signs of our awesome Creator. Because He's there, everywhere we look, behind all that He's created and when we see Him, really see Him, it changes us. Drops us to our knees and changes the way we respond to others... to the world... to Him, all to His glory. 

So I'm moving forward, with fresh eyes and a full heart, and I'm asking you to join me. Let's pray together that God will open the eyes of our hearts so that we can really see Him and that together our enthusiasm for God's beauty all around us will draw others to His amazing love.


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picture source: pixabay

22 comments:

  1. Carlie- We can "see" but not really "see." Thanks for the reminder to look with fresh eyes on what the Creator has gifted us.
    I love the phrase about looking at the person who was on our last nerve yesterday with fresh insight today! So good!
    The Caribbean is so beautiful!
    Stopping by from #MomentsofHope,
    Julie

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    1. So happy to have you visit, Julie! Yes, starting fresh everyday... imagine the possibilities. :) I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for your kind words.

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  2. Wow, Carlie, I want those "fresh eyes" too! Reading this reminded me of the song that says, "Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you". When we see as God sees we will always be filled with wonder.
    Thanks for the beautiful reminder that God can help us start anew -- no matter how dull our eyes have become.
    Sending you hugs,
    Marva | SunSparkleShine

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    1. Thanks, Marva! I always love it when you visit me here. Let's encourage each other to use our 'fresh eyes', ok?

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  3. Beautiful! The sparkle, the enthusiasm, the fresh view ... how our Creator longs for us to be there each day.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. And the amazing thing is that He gives us both the grace and power to be there. We just need to call on Him. Have a blessed day, my friend.

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  4. Wow! Thank you for teaching me anew the beauty of coming to the Lord as a child.

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    1. Glad you liked it, Christine! Thanks for dropping by.

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  5. Carlie, I loved this! I want fresh eyes, too!

    Thanks for sharing at The Loft today.

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  6. Fresh eyes!!! I want what she has too! Your beautiful words remind me of the precious time we have here on earth and how God wishes for us to see His creation. He wants us to have our eyes, both physical and spiritual, open and ready to see the beauty of the Lord. Thank you, thank you!
    This child is absolutely lovely too! You are blessed to be able to see her as often as you do and can! : )

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting, Linda, and for your wise and kind words. May you be continually blessed with fresh eyes for His glory.

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  7. I absolutely love this sentiment. It's always a great reminder to see everything with fresh eyes. Through them, even the simplest and littlest things are beautiful. Thanks for sharing your inspiring words with us on #shinebloghop this week!

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    1. Thanks, Maria! 'Through them, even the simplest and littlest things are beautiful'...so amazingly true! Thanks for your encouragement. Blessings to you!

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  8. This was beautiful. I love how children can help us see with those eyes too - God is so magnificent - His creation is astounding. I want to see and experience it with fresh eyes too!

    Thanks for sharing.
    xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer! May you be continually blessed with fresh eyes.

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  9. Carlie,
    What a precious reminder to see the wonderful in life each day! I don't know if that little one in the pic is possibly your daughter, but if so, what a darling little one!!

    Thanks for sharing hope alongside me at ##MomentsofHope!

    Blessings ad smiles,
    Lori

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Lori. [Not my daughter, just a pic that captured the essence of what I was trying to say. My darling girl is not so little anymore. :)]

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  10. Hi Carlie it's been ages I visited and I'm so glad to connect with you again!

    New and fresh eyes... Yes please

    Do have a great weekend friend

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    1. Thanks for the visit, Ifeoma! Always a pleasure to connect with you.

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  11. Hi Carly,

    I was moved by what you wrote.
    I know Sanaa has the ability to make us see things and think about things in a different way, but thanks to your reminder we can view life with 'fresh eyes'.

    Had never thought of it in that way. Thank you.

    Wow!!! There is now a spring in my step. :-)

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    1. So glad you liked it, Sandra! I was inspired watching her interact with God's creation. She's such a blessing! :)

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  12. I knew I had read this before, but it's still as good as the first time. Thanks for sharing it again.

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