Give Me Your Eyes

We've all heard the saying--"never judge a book by its cover"--probably 1,000 times or more in our lives. Why is it, though, that it's such a hard concept to remember? It is for me at least. Too often I find myself taking things at face value and allowing my emotional side to control how I feel about a person or situation. I judge before I know the full story.
For example:
A couple that John and I know have asked favors of us lately that really have left me frustrated. I enjoy helping others--seriously, it's what I am passionate about--but there comes a point when you can feel taken advantage of or just flat out grumpy about it. That was where I found myself today. I am a creature of habit, and when my routine is changed up without much notice it can set me off like no other.

I know, not the best "Christian attitude" to have huh. He's teaching me that.

Anyway, after talking with the wife, I was taken back by just how intense of a situation she and her husband are in. I had felt mad for the tiny bit of inconvenience they had put me through (and I mean TINY folks) and then she tells me things that I was blown away by. I was so quick to judge and let those silly emotions of anger and irritation creep in without warrant. When she asked me to pray for them, what I really wanted to do was hang my head in shame, creep to the car, and bawl the whole way home out of complete embarrassment and guilt.

Forgiveness and grace are beautiful things. It's time I start handing them out as often as I wish to receive them.

At first glance, it's almost completely impossible to know everything about any given situation. You must build relationships, love on others, dig deeper when given the opportunity, and just extend the love of the Father at all times, regardless of how much it gets you out of your comfort zone. As embarrassed as I am to type this, I actually called up another good friend of mine this morning to complain and comment on how I guess I'm "doing my Christian duties for the day."

Apparently, I have viewed God's work as too big of hassle lately.
Sheesh. That's rough.

There is a song that plays on the radio that has amazing lyrics (yes, it seems He is speaking to me through songs lately). I have come to really embrace this song and make it a prayer every morning. Whether a song has a catchy beat, lovely tune, or whatever---it's still from someone's heart and probably originated from a struggle within themselves. Read over these lyrics. Let them sink in deep, and remember to "never judge a book by its cover."

"Give me Your eyes for just one second,
Give me Your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missin',
Give me Your love for humanity.

Give me Your arms for the brokenhearted,
The ones that are far beyond my reach,
Give me Your heart for the once forgotten,
Give me Your eyes so I can see."
--Brandon Heath, "Give Me Your Eyes"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihvG607W-c