Friday, January 10, 2014

Seeing it for the first time, again.

Over the past four months, we have had family members visit us in Cambodia. It has been great to have loved ones spending time with us. We love sharing our life on the Ship of Life. It was great to introduce them to the "friends and family" who live here.

Each of our visitors have said that being here was so good for them. They had seen photos and heard stories, but nothing was as good as fully experiencing our work. I had not thought of that. When I was sending the photos and telling the stories, I saw the big picture. They did not.

But, having them see it all for the first time had a side-benefit. It allowed me to see it from fresh eyes. I was able to see and hear their response to every step of the way. There are so many things I have grown used to seeing that I don't even notice anymore. I don't notice the motorbikes stacked high with wicker shelves. I don't notice water buffalo alongside the road. I don't notice some of the crazier traffic maneuvers. These things have become "normal" to me, now. They, and so many other fascinating things, are just part of my daily life.

I suppose we are all like that. We no longer really care about the things that created such excitement, when we were children. Butterflies, robin's eggs, clouds, caterpillars, a four-leaf clover, ant hills....... We would run and share our great finds with anyone who would listen.

I can't help but think about how this same attitude applies to my spiritual life. There were so many things that I treasured, as I came to know Jesus. I was humbled by the sacrifice of God. I looked with wonder at His creation. It was all far to good to not share it. But, you know what? There are some days, now, that I don't see it. Sadly, I must admit that I take it for granted. I am not running to share anything.

Then, there are those blessed days that I get to interact with new believers. I get recharged by their fresh eyes - their fresh hearts. What a wonderful by-product of telling others about God -- we get to see him anew. We get to keep our hearts soft and our eyes fresh. Oh, what an awesome God I serve.