Monday, May 12, 2008

Monday Moment: Seeing Him

My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
-Job 42:5

We've all heard about God. Hearing about Him is one thing. Seeing Him is another. Seeing Him active and abounding in your life is something different still.

Last week was horrible. One I'd rather forget. I dreaded Mother's Day yesterday more than I've ever dreaded any other day. I knew it would be hard. It would require a strength that couldn't come from anywhere inside me. When my alarm went off, I cried.

The last thing I wanted to do yesterday morning was teach my Sunday School class. Little girls. Children. Mother's Day. In light of last week, I honestly didn't think I could do it. I walked into the class and as the girls wandered in I hugged and laughed and joked. Fooled myself with my forced cheerfulness. But as the class started, one of my smartest and favorite students raised her hand. "Miss Brin?" she asked, "Are you wearing new eyeshadow?"

Kids are scary.

"Yes ma'am," I said, bewildered. "Why?"

"Why are you wearing new eyeshadow?"

"Boy trouble," I said. "And what do we do when we have trouble in our lives?"

The girls sat there, staring.

"We cast all our cares on the Lord... we tell God about them... because He cares for us. All about us. Every day. Doesn't He?"

The lesson rocked along and ended with us making these for their mothers. As we were about to leave, the girls started whispering and giggling and suddenly there was mass third-grade excitement as they told me about the Mother's Day craft they'd made at school this year. A bottle vase. We made ours for you, they said. For your Mother's Day.

"If something happens to my Mom I want you to be my Mom," Cassidy said.

And there it was. There He was. There I was, seeing Him again. My ears have heard of a loving God... of a tender God... of a compassionate God, but suddenly there He was again, staring at me from the faces of little girls. Reaching out to me. Speaking to me from the depth of my deepest longing - a child. There He was... reaching out and giving me flowers on Mother's Day.

I started blinking away tears. "What's wrong, Miss Brin?" they asked.

"Nothing at all," I replied. "But what do we do when we have trouble in our lives?"

"We take it to God," Sabryn said, "and we buy new eyeshadow."

My ears had heard of Him, but now my eyes have seen Him.

Monday Moment is a little devotional to help kick start your week. See you again next time.

22 comments:

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

Beautiful! I think, perhaps, He is there for us to see much more often than our self-inflicted blindness allows. I'm so glad the Father gave you the grace for that moment, for the blinders to be removed, for the eyes of your heart to be filled with His splendor.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Very sweet story, Brin.

Have a good week,
Rhoda

Anonymous said...

AWESOME!!!!

grace f

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, and big congrats on Millie! She's adorable and I hope you 2 are the best of friends.

Rhoda

Anonymous said...

Oh Sweet Brin...I prayed for you yesterday, it was one of those days. I spent my Mother's Day praying for others. I had one of those up all night prayer session with our Lord again, He always wins doesn't He :).

Wonderful Monday Moment.

May our Lord bless you this week, fill it with faith, hope and love.

Hugs,
Kathi :)

Kristie @ Comfy Cozy said...

I am so happy I found your blog! I love reading anything you have to write!

From A Creative Heart said...

Hugs to you Brin...

Jen said...

I was there, Brin, not too long ago. I remember the longing, the heartache. And now, in less than 4 years, I have 3 beautiful children and one more on the way! Remember, He can do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine," Ephesians 3:20. Isn't it comforting to know that He is in charge? He knows just the right timing for everything.

Vee said...

You're a treasure, Brin. You've been given this wonderful gift of nurture and communication...

Have a happy day and, btw, what color is your new eye shadow. I think I need some!

Tricia said...

I got so choked up reading that. What precious girls; reflecting the love of an awesome God.

Adrienne said...

I love the Scripture where God says "before you call I will answer". He had the answer for your day already finished before your alarm went off yesterday morning. He had aleady planted into the hearts of the girls to make that special gift for you. He had you in mind. He knew your heartache and longing. And He knew how to touch your heart through the hearts of little girls who love you. Thank you for reminding us that He shows Himself to us in many ways. ~Adrienne~

Betty said...

What a tender moment, Brin..God presented it to you through those girls just at the right time!
Thank you for that Monday Moment..struck a chord as it usually does, you have a true gift of ministering to others.
You were in my prayers yesterday.

Mrs. said...

this is such a sweet story! And a great reminder that we have a father who loves us. thanks!

Unknown said...

Oh Brin, that's the sweetest Monday Moment yet! And your time will come, but just remember, we have many Mom's in our lives and you ARE one for those sweet little girls! Hugs!!

Linda Z said...

How beautiful that God spoke to you and blessed you through His children. May He continue to comfort your heart.

Please pray for my dear friend whose mother lost her battle with cancer yesterday. Pray for the hearts of the 6 very young grandchildren who will miss her terribly.

Anonymous said...

Brin,

Once again, thank you for the reminder that God is...all around us.

Lori

Becky K. said...

God is soooo good and HE loves YOU so much!

I am thankful for you that HE made Himself so easy to see yesterday.

Blessings,
Becky K.

Sue said...

Brin,
Thank you for sharing your life with us and with those little girls. You have such a way with words. We have such an awesome God!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Thanks you Brin for the Monday Moments, I do look forward to them. How wonderful He is to care for you at this time in your life, I've been there and done it and know that God was with me all the years that it took. I'm now happily remarried.

Blessings, Rondell

Judy said...

How sweet is that! What a wonderful lesson for your girls...and for you!

Crystal said...

Oh, your devotional touched my heart too. And the verse from Ephesians is perfect for me this week! Thank you for writing and sharing your messages and life stories. God has sent me here for a reason :)) I hope your week is full of many blessings.

Anonymous said...

Brin,
Thank you so much! I try to pop in every so often to see what you've written, and you always encourage me!

I sometimes find myself dreading mother's day for the same reason; but you reminded me what's really important; and how beautiful it is to be reminded of God's goodness to us!

Thanks for all your posts!