Through your eyes: a blessing or a burden

I try to be an observational fellow, and to notice the things around me. This could be anything from people, to cars, to anything you can think of.

Today, while at work, I observed a couple come in with their child. They were a normal family, with one minor exception; their child was mentally retarded. I personally don't have any children, so I don't really know what it's like to raise a child, so I can't personally reflect on it, but I observed the two parents, reacting to their child.

The father was very short, angry, and unforgiving with his son. He treated him like dirt, and showed him no respect. No father should treat a son like that. Never. He wasn’t grateful for that son, and he showed it in a big way.

The boy's mother, adversely, showed him love, care, kindness, and was truly grateful for her son. I was amazed at how much she showed love for her son. Not because I don't think it's possible to love a mentally retarded child, but because she was almost overbearing with it. She made her son know she loved him, and she will be able to fall asleep tonight knowing she did everything she could to love her son as much as possible.

The reason I described this story to you is to illustrate one simple point: it's not what you have that matters, but it's how you look at it that matters. The father saw a boy who couldn't run as fast as other boys, or jump as high as most children. He saw a burden and a failure. He hates it.
The mother, on the other hand, saw a boy who could love and be love, one who can laugh, and make others laugh. She loves it.

What you see depends on what you want to see. You might see a trial and a test, but someone else might decide to see a chance to watch God work in his or her life. An annoying person in line behind you might be a chance to tell someone about the gospel. That pastor who keeps asking for donations might be a chance to help further God's kingdom.

And think of it like this: God, rather than see us for the sinners we are, sees us covered by Christ's blood (assuming you've accepted Him as Saviour.)

If you don't like what you see, try looking at it from a different point of view.