Through The Eyes Of God
(From October 2003)

I remember a time in the Fifties, when a friend and I were denied service
at a local lunch counter. We were just boys of about 10 and my friend 
was black. In the mid Seventies, my partner and I were about to tee off
in the first match of our golf league, when another walked up to me and
asked: "...You playin' with that 'nigger'?". My action at the lunch counter
was to go back later, order two burgers, two fries and two sodas...then 
we were told not to come back after we sat at the table. My reply to the
rude golfer was: "No...I'm his caddy". Then I proceeded to tell him that 
if there were 'niggers' at that course, I didn't see any. I watched an hour
of entertaining television the other day featuring Tiger Woods. He used
that hour to demonstrate how to play better, what he does to help him 
overcome problems and some of his 'tricks' he does to entertain himself 
and others. We've come a long way...but not far enough. I doubt if God 
is ignoring the way people still find ways to belittle or subject prejudicial 
limits on others because of race, religion, color or origin. But, I'm also 
certain He's happy to see that we continue to improve. 

In a lighter vein, there is another group of people who are still being 'left'
out of things. Just go to your local discount store...try to buy a pair of 
left handed scissors or if you're right handed, try to use a pair of them,
assuming you can find one. I've been told by people that even School
Teachers would punish a left hander for using his/her left hand while 
they were supposed to be learning to do it 'right'. While you're in the 
discount store, look for a left handed fielder's glove, or catcher's mitt. 
You'll find a few, but most likely you'll have to go to the local Sports
Equipment store (where you'll have to pay full price), to find a good one.
Even the way we test our children in school is geared to the right hand.
Just look at the standard test paper. The problem or question is on the
left...which makes the left hander have to cover the problem with the 
left hand as he/she writes the answer. 

I'm sensitive to these things, because I live with a left hander, and our 
son Shawn is left handed. Seven of our presidents have been lefties.
Ten percent or less of Americans are left handed. They aren't looked on
as freaks, or social scourges anymore, but they have to live in a right 
handed world. This is a little light hearted look at the way we often try
to make the world conform to us, rather than accept the differences in
those beautiful 'other' people, we inhabit God's earth with. 

When I hear some of my friends tell of being smacked on the knuckles 
with a ruler (in a public School), just to force them to use their 'right' 
hands...I see that prejudice surfaces in so many ways. My prayer is 
that we could all learn and remember that we are all...children of the 
living God. All of us are given the same opportunity to seek and gain 
the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus. No one is the 'wrong' color, race,
or is from the wrong birthplace. Let's all try to see everyone else and
ourselves through the eyes of God. We'll see the most beautiful and 
wondrous creation in all the world...when we're looking Through The 
Eyes Of God.
-------------------------------

Father God, please give us a glimpse of ourselves and others through
Your eyes. Let us see the beauty and perfection You see in us. We 
need to see ourselves as You see us in Jesus. Help us to overcome 
our own prejudices and keep us from limiting others. Let us fight the
injustices and social wrongs we are able to fight. Let us start from the 
inside. Forgive our sins as we forgive other sinners. 
In Jesus' name we pray....            Amen. 

My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, 
and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the 
cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the 
blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my 
beautiful one, come with me." My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the 
hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear 
your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Song of Solomon 2:10-14 NIV
It's said that the book: Song of Solomon is a word picture of God's
love for His creation; mankind. (writer's note)

Steve __________________





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