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Seeing as a Child…

By June 13, 2019August 30th, 2022Devotional

It’s been really fun around here the last two weeks. Janet, after her first cataract surgery, couldn’t believe how quickly her vision improved. And then, after her other eye was done last Friday, the world changed even more for her by Saturday morning. The eye doctors were thrilled with her progress and Janet noted how well she could see. In fact, she was a little like a kid who has found a new toy.

As we were driving, she would read the speed limit signs and noticed the billboards and other signage along the road. In the recent past, we have been doing most things together so I have been the one driving. I don’t think that Janet realized how her vision had deteriorated. So it was thrilling to see her so excited about the success of the surgeries.

For years, Janet has seen much better than I have. I have worn glasses since I was about thirteen years old and it is really difficult to recall what it was like to see without a corrective lens. In fact, my eyes are so sensitive that I can’t even wear contact lenses as they don’t provide exact enough vision for me. And believe me, I have tried every lens on the market and nothing seems to work as good as a great pair of glasses.

My correction is only for distance. I still read the Bible, even the very small print ones, without glasses. The only other time I don’t wear glasses is during the Christmas season when I can just stare at the lights and enjoy the big, bright, out of focus circles of light on the tree.

But Janet has had to have assistance for distance as well as for reading the last several years. With the new lenses the doctors chose for her, Janet’s sight is now terrific, bordering on 20/15 already. When her brain gets used to the changes, who knows how well she will see!

And that brings us to the events of the last several nights. As most of you know, I am a real space nut. We have seen many of the articles on the close proximity of Jupiter to earth and how, if it is clear, amateur astronomers can see Jupiter and its closest four moons without a telescope during these several days in mid-June.

I went outside and located Jupiter in the sky. It wasn’t very clear to me, so I grabbed a pair of binoculars and returned outside. It helped some but I could only see one of the moons circling this gigantic planet. I asked Janet if she wanted to see this phenomenon and when she looked up into the sky, she saw all four moons – these little specs way out there in space. I couldn’t believe it! And she was a little giddy herself.

I was thrilled for her. She was like a little kid and then it happened. She turned and told me that she hadn’t seen this way since she was a child. The whole experience took her back to her childhood. I got to thinking about that.

As children, life is so much simpler. Sure, at the time it seemed somewhat difficult, but on balance, as we look at it from our places now, seeing things through the eyes of a child is refreshing. The sense of wonder is evident every day. And that’s exactly how Janet was looking up into space – peering at God’s creation and being mesmerized by the whole thing.

Jesus devoted many verses to children and His love of them. He wanted the little children to come to Him and extolled the virtues of childlike faith. Our verse for this evening is from Matthew. He recounts the story of Jesus and highlights one of the messages that Jesus gives us. We are told, in Matthew 18:2-4, “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

My encouragement this evening is that Jesus wants us all to become like children and believe in Him. My prayer is that we will never lose the wonder we have over God’s creation, His faithfulness and how He loves us. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…

One Comment

  • David Toussaint says:

    Scott
    What a neat story about your wife. We all would like to see better, like we did as little children, and as we will see in heaven when we arrive there.
    THanks
    Dave

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